Jazz fan fights cancer with show for mom

Last August was the first time in several years that jazz promoter Tammy Greene didn't have a blow out birthday party featuring some of the country's top jazz musicians.

For three years, Greene helped book jazz acts at the Jazz Café when it was open in the Arysley Town Center. So, her birthday party that was a must-attend event.

"We always just have a good time," she said.

Last year, she spent her birthday in a hospital room with her dying mother. Greene's mother, Bernice, battled problems related to heart disease throughout the year. Then she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July. Doctors removed the cancer, but her mother's condition never improved.

A few days before her birthday last year, Greene received a call from her brothers telling her to come home immediately. She drove to Philadelphia immediately. Her mother, Bernice, was glad to see her. Greene said her mother worried her daughter wouldn't make it home in time. On Aug. 31, Greene celebrated her birthday in the hospital with her family. The next day, Bernice Greene passed away at age 74.


To honor her mother, Greene will resume her birthday tradition with a new mission to raise money to fight breast cancer and heart disease. On Saturday, she will host Jazzin' For a Cure concert at Utopia Soundstage. It will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Greene has always donated to the foundation and participated in the annual walk/run, but after losing her mother Greene is committed to doing more.

"I'm going to tie my passion together for jazz with Susan G. Komen," she said. "When it's somebody in your family it's a whole different vibe."

Jazz for a cure, Saturday
Jazzin' For The Cure features band Innertwyned and saxophonist Paul Taylor. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Two shows: 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Utopia Soundstage, 10210 Berkeley Place Drive. www.ez-tixx.com or 877-993-8499