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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Jubilation Club
By Matthew Smith
This Sunday, Hurst’s Jubilation Club will host dozens of local musicians in a unique, rather special, concert marathon. The all-day schedule includes performances by Joe McBride, Fingerprints, Soul Tsunami, The Bill Tillman Band, and others.
This stellar gathering of area musicians has its genesis in sorrow. Spouses Brian and Belinda Warthen made a life together as well-known, respected musicians who played with numerous bands throughout the years. Brian is a bassist and Belinda was a keyboardist who had earned a degree in music theory and composition from the University of North Texas in 1990. Belinda died last month at 39, from complications of Hepatitis C. Brian is now dealing with a six-figure hospital bill, in addition to grief — he had lost his father several months ago, and his mother passed away the night before Belinda died.
In a move to alleviate some of the pain, the Dallas-Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association, which the Warthens joined in 1989, has set up The Warthen Family Fund at the Musicians Federal Credit Union and has helped put together the benefit. Union President Raymond Hair said that while the union intended on setting up a fund it wasn’t planning on sponsoring a benefit, which Hair now calls a “spontaneous display by all the freelance union musicians and leaders.”
Fellow musician Drew Phelps promises the world premiere of the Mass Bass Choir, which will comprise bassists from across the Metroplex, including those from the Fort Worth and Dallas symphonies. “It should be wild,” Phelps said, “the biggest gathering of bass players ever in DFW.” Phelps added that since many of the musicians know one another, the crowd should expect proper sets and impromptu jam sessions with lots of improvisation. Despite the downbeat circumstances leading to the benefit, both Hair and Phelps foresee an upbeat tribute to a much-missed friend who had dedicated her life to her love of music.
1:30pm-10:30pm Sun at Jubilation Club, 8204 Bedford-Euless Rd, FW. $10. 817-589-1360.
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