Pittsburgh musicians rock out for Haiti

“Sending Back the Spirit”

Jan. 21, 8 p.m.

Shadow Lounge

$10 cover… “Sending Back the Spirit”

Jan. 21, 8 p.m.

Shadow Lounge

$10 cover charge

http://www.myspace.com/phatmandee

As music icons Wyclef Jean, Madonna and Lady Gaga lead the Haitian earthquake relief effort, Pittsburgh’s local entertainment scene is also working to aid the devastated country.

For Pittsburgh jazz diva Phat Man Dee, the creation of a benefit in support of the Haitian relief effort began when she joined in a conversation on Pittsburgh trumpeter Sean Jones’ Facebook page.

“I decided we could just keep talking about this all we wanted, or we could just do something about it,” Man Dee said.

She then proposed the idea of a fund-raising benefit to Jones, who encouraged her to act on it.

Next, Man Dee called Justin Strong, co-owner and general manager of Shadow Lounge, a local venue famous for its support of independent artistry.

“Shadow Lounge has always been active in the local and international community,” Strong said, who recognized the immediate need following the devastation in Haiti. “If there’s a way to support, we’re going to do it,” he said.

After eight hours of back-and-forth texting conversations, Man Dee and Strong had a plan. They would host a local Haiti earthquake benefit concert at Shadow Lounge, charge a $10 donation at the door and give the cover charge and 10% of the bar sales to the Yele Haiti’s earthquake relief fund, which was founded by Wyclef Jean. Man Dee now had the idea, the location and the donation strategy. She just needed performers.

It didn’t take much time for her to find a lineup.

“I just made some phone calls, and before I knew it, all these wonderful entertainers were on board,” Man Dee said.

This band of entertainment includes Sean Jones, pianist and vocalist Joy Ellis and the Georgetown Trio, bassist Tony DePaolis, DJ Flex, poet Christiane D., singer-songwriter Joy Ike and Michael Glabicki and his band Rusted Root, among others.

Ike, who volunteered at a Haitian orphanage years ago, was in disbelief when she heard about the earthquake in Haiti.

“It didn’t seem real until I turned on my computer, read about it, saw the pictures and then saw a news story on TV a few minutes later,” she said.

Since then, 100% of online sales from Ike’s merchandise — CDs, T-shirts, stickers, etc. — have been donated to Food for the Poor, another international relief assistance corporation. “All purchases at Thursday’s benefit will go to Yele,” Ike added. “I want people to have my music, but I also want to help.”

Glabicki, front man of the Pittsburgh native band Rusted Root, accepted as soon as Man Dee called to ask him to perform at the benefit. “It was the first thing that came up,” Glabicki said, who was wondering at the time how he could contribute to the relief.

He plans to not only contribute his music at Thursday’s performance, but his energy as a songwriter and performer as well. Glabicki calls music a “healing process.”

“We’re all one,” he said of Haitians, Americans and other nationalities. “If there is any kind of pain or hurt in others that we [help to heal], it comes back to us,” he explained.

In sync with Glabicki’s thought to send energy back to Haiti, Man Dee came up with the title “Sending Back the Spirit” for the benefit. “When I think of Haiti, I think of an incredibly vibrant culture, rich in music, dance, art and religion,” she said.

“Effects of Haiti’s culture and art can be seen in so many different places around the world,” Man Dee continued, explaining that despite Haiti’s small size, its spirit has an international and eternal presence. “I thought that Pittsburgh, as a vibrant and artistic community ourselves, could send our [spirit] back to them,” she said. “It’s going to be a phenomenal night of music and phenomenal entertainers.”

Man Dee hopes to raise “a couple grand” at Thursday’s benefit and insists that every little bit helps. She remains confused by those who have yet to assist in this cause.

“I don’t get it. It’s so easy to help people in need. We’re supposed to be compassionate people,” she said, emphasizing the basic human compulsion “to help your fellow man when he or she is in need.”

Pittsburgh businesses have given donations to be raffled off in the Blue Room of Shadow Lounge during the benefit. The raffle includes a gift certificate from Spa Uptown, a gift basket from Philip Pelusi’s Hair Salons, a Reiki session with Rosemary Banks, a gift certificate from Paris 66 restaurant and a gift certificate from Whole Foods, among others.

Those who aren’t able to attend Thursday’s benefit concert can text the word “Yele” to the number 501501 to send an immediate donation of five dollars to Yele Haiti Earthquake fund.