Tom Waits agreed to perform a few songs at a benefit event in L.A. in January. The prestigious event at the Century Plaza Hotel will benefit the Bet Tzedek Legal Services law firm while honoring attorney Kevin Marks with the Luis Lainer Founder’s Award, O’Melveny & Meyers LLP with the Rose L. Schiff Commitment to Justice Award and Anna Burns with the Jack H. Skirball Community Justice Award.
Why do lawyers need a benefit party? A reasonable question. These are no ordinary lawyers however. Bet Tzedek is Hebrew for "House of Justice" and this law firm assists L.A. residents who lack access to good representation. According to a press release from Wait's label ANTI- records:
Founded in 1974, Bet Tzedek Legal Services today is one of the nation’s most respected poverty law firms, with a stated mission of ensuring "equal justice for all." Each year the organization serves more than 10,000 elderly, indigent and disabled Los Angeles-area residents of all racial and religious backgrounds with critical legal needs, who otherwise would be without access to representation. Clients are represented by a dedicated staff of 62 and more than 600 active volunteers, who last year committed 40,000-plus hours of service.Bet Tzedek (which means "The House of Justice" in Hebrew) practices principally in the areas of elder law, housing law, employment rights, public benefits and Holocaust reparations. The organization serves clients from its headquarters in the Fairfax district, at its second office in North Hollywood and at more than 30 senior centers throughout Los Angeles County.
So, the next reasonable question would be how did Tom Waits get involved? The legendary singer claims, "Kevin Marks is a longtime friend and ally. A champion of artist and human rights. He has pulled my goyim tuchas out of many a fire."
Tom Waits has been playing more classy benefit events these days then regular ol' gigs and tours. He performed at the Dalai Lama benefit: Healing The Divide in 2003, toured in 2004 and 2006 and this year his only big show was the SF Bridge School Benefit. So this short set in L.A. is one of very few chances to catch Wait's live. When asked if he will be touring again soon, he replied, "Somehow we return like the salmon to perform in important towns like Nimrod, Minnesota; Square Butt, Montana; Peculiar, Missouri; or Diagonal, Iowa. We just may be coming to a theatre near you."
The full press release is available on the ANTI- website. It contains info on where to get tix as well.
Tom Waits performed with the Kronos Quartet at both the Healing the Divide benefit and the Bridge School benefit. Here they are together at the SF Bridge School concert:
Tom Waits, Kronos Quartet - "Cold Cold Ground"
