We are The Cookers, a jazz septet firing up original hard- and post-bop originals, consisting of Billy Hart, Eddie Henderson, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Donald Harrison, David Weiss, and Azar Lawrence.

Our work is rooted in jazz’s enduring capacity not only to claim human and artistic freedom, but to express it. In that spirit, we are deeply grateful for your willingness to stand with us in solidarity when we canceled our New Year's Eve performance at the Kennedy Center.

We understood that there would be serious consequences, including a substantial financial obligation to the venue under the terms of our contract for facilities services, travel and accommodations we could not recoup, and marketing costs. We are still waiting for a final accounting, but we know the amount will be at least $14,000.

Your contribution in any amount will help us meet this obligation.

Your support also helps sustain the living tradition of jazz that we remain dedicated to carrying forward.