Benefit Concert for Christopher Rodriguez at Yoshi's in Oakland

Last night my wife and I and a few of our friends attended a benefit jazz concert at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland's Jack London Square benefiting Christopher Rodriguez.

Christopher Rodriguez was the 10-year-old boy who was shot while taking a piano lesson at an Oakland music studio. The shot was allegedly fired by Jared Adams, a 24 year old felon with previous gun conviction charges, who was holding up a gas station across the street from the music studio. Christopher is reported as being paralyzed for life and attended the benefit concert last night in a wheel chair.

A fantastic group of musicians showed up for the sold out concert. Highlights of the concert included a performance of "Rhapsody in Blue" by Grammy nominated pianist Matt Herskowitz who flew in from Canada to perform, as well as a stunning all-star closing jam of Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All." An impressive performance was also turned in by a 10-year-old girl from Vallejo who goes by the name of Gabi who performed a song by Alicia Keyes.

To see my photos from last nights concert, click through here.

It was great to see such a strong group of musical performers come out to support and raise money for Christopher and his family. To learn more about ways that you can help Christopher, here is a link to his web site here.

Notably absent from the community benefit performance was Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums or anyone from his staff.