Eight acclaimed jazz pianists — Kris Davis, Aaron Diehl, Orrin Evans, Sullivan Fortner, Aaron Goldberg, Kevin Hays, Fred Hersch, and Christian Sands perform solos and duets as part of a special fundraiser for The Jazz Foundation of America’s COVID-19 Musician’s Emergency Fund. Appropriately titled Eight x 88, the musicians uniquely interpreted an eclectic mix of songs by Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Frank Loesser and Stevie Wonder among others. Filmed over two days at Steinway Hall, the artists delivered high-spirited performances that will stream as a 90-minute program.

The jazz piano virtual concert was brought to Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) by Fred Hersch, a longtime supporter of JFA’s mission. In the spring of last year, Hersch, along with Esperanza Spalding raised well-needed funds donating the proceeds of their EP release “Live from the Village Vanguard” to help fellow musicians through this pandemic. Aaron Goldberg and Kevin Hays had approached Hersch last year with the concept, and Hersch phoned JFA executive director Joe Petrucelli soon after. “I felt great about steering it to JFA, the premier organization helping the entire jazz community at this very stressful time,” Hersch said. “I have been aware of JFA’s remarkable mission for many years and it has directly helped some wonderful musicians I know personally.”

The JFA is a New York-based non-profit that has served the jazz community for 32 years. All of the performers of Eight x 88 donated their time and talent to JFA’s COVID-19 Musician’s Emergency Fund, created by the JFA to address the urgent need to help the music community during the pandemic. Steinway donated their services and produced the concert.