Enjoy a Recording of a Concert of Rock, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Broadway, and Classical Music
Webstreamed on Weds. March 31, 2021
Rock Musicians Rufus Wainwright, Lisa Loeb, Tim Reynolds and Others Performed for this Free Virtual Concert for Colorectal Cancer Awareness
The American College of Gastroenterology was proud to host a free webstream event, “Tune It Up: A Concert To Raise Awareness of Colorectal Cancer,” on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 8 pm EDT featuring dynamic performances by a talented collective of musicians.
The virtual concert included messages from celebrity cancer advocate Katie Couric and performances by notable stars such as GRAMMY® Award winning singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb, along with a group of musicians from a wide range of genres who all donated their time and performances to support colorectal cancer awareness efforts.
ACG’s goal was to tap the connection and energy that music creates to shine a light on the importance of colorectal cancer screening and prevention.
How to Watch
Click on the Vimeo viewer above to watch the webstream concert.
Special Appearances
Katie Couric – Cancer Advocate, Co-Founder of Stand Up To Cancer, former Anchor of NBC’s “The Today Show” and CBS “Evening News”
Fred Child – Commentator and Host for “Live From Lincoln Center” plus Host of American Public Media’s “Performance Today”
Performers
Dave Matthews Collaborator
Tim Reynolds – Solo Acoustic Guitar
Performers
 |  | |
 |  | |
| |
Rufus Wainwright – GRAMMY® Award Nominated Singer/Songwriter
Lisa Loeb – GRAMMY® Award Winning Singer/Songwriter and founder of the Camp Lisa Foundation, which sends underserved kids to summer camp
Tim Reynolds – Solo Acoustic Guitar
Kermit Ruffins – New Orleans Jazz Trumpeter
Hilary Hahn – Three-Time GRAMMY® Award Winning Violinist
Ari Hest – GRAMMY® Award Nominated Singer/Songwriter known for his duets album with Judy Collins
Maddie Poppe – Singer/Songwriter who won “American Idol” Season #16
Aoife O’Donovan – GRAMMY® Award Winning Folk Singer will perform with Cellist Eric Jacobsen and Violinist Colin Jacobsen (both from The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra – performs Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20
Cincinnati Pops – with GRAMMY® Award Nominated Conductor John Morris Russell and Jazz Pianist Aaron Diehl performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”
Kerry Ellis – Broadway Singer who appeared as First British Elphaba in London’s West End “Wicked,” original cast of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” “Miss Saigon,” and as Fantine in “Les Miserables”
Toby Lightman – Singer/Songwriter whose single “My Sweet Song” was featured in the movie P.S., I Love You
Rachael Sage – Singer/Songwriter and Record Producer who founded the Indie label MPress Records
Ariel Quartet – Faculty Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music
Oran Etkin – Voted #1 Rising Star Clarinetist in DownBeat Magazine‘s 2016 Critics Poll whose music was included in a GRAMMY® Award Winning anti-bullying compilation album
K.F. Jacques – Hip-Hop Artist, Singer and Songwriter who combines hip-hop with opera
D-Composed – Chicago-based string quartet that honors Black creativity and culture
Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra – Combines the raw energy and passion of Hip-Hop with live orchestration
John D’earth – Jazz Trumpeter and Director of Jazz Performance at the University of Virginia and Bassist Pete Spaar of the University of Virginia Jazz Faculty
Joachim Horsley – Pianist/Composer/Arranger who orchestrated Ben Folds’ Piano Concerto and recently orchestrated ABC’s Live Version of the Little Mermaid featuring Queen Latifah
Shanice Aaron – Classical Pianist and Isaiah Day, Modern Dance Student at Juilliard
The Gold Souls – Bringing the driving grooves of funk, the rich textures of soul, and the compelling storytelling of the blues
Ruby Velle & the Soulphonics – Her first single, “Fighter” appeared on HBO and the trailer for “On the Basis of Sex” about Ruth Bader Ginsburg taking up a case of sex-based discrimination. Her song “Go Get It” debuted on Showtime’s “Shameless”
Hamish Anderson – Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter who recently opened on international tours with Gary Clark Jr. and George Thorogood. “You Give Me Something” is featured on Spotify’s Modern Blues Rock Playlist
Jennifer Kosharsky – Mezzo-Soprano in Chicago
Weiwen Ma – Classical Pianist in Chicago who won a Bronze Medal at the First Chinese International Piano Competition
Elizabeth Wendel – Urology Resident at Emory University and Rock Singer
The Beacons – Band of ACG Gastroenterologists Daniel J. Pambianco, MD, FACG; Samir A. Shah, MD, FACG; Costas H. Kefalas, MD, MMM, FACG; Patrick E. Young, MD, FACG and John R. Saltzman, MD, FACG performing John Lennon’s “Imagine”
Special Message from Katie Couric
Concert Director: Benjamin Levy, MD
Benjamin Levy, MD is a board-certified Gastroenterologist in Chicago. As Division Head of Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, and Holy Cross Hospital, Dr. Levy founded a Gastroenterology clinic for refugees resettling in Chicago. In addition, Dr. Levy is Head of GI Education for residents and medical students. His clinical projects focus on health care disparities and the development of colon cancer screening campaigns. Dr. Levy is a member of ACG’s Public Relations Committee and FDA-Related Matters Committees.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dr. Levy started an international health education campaign named “Concerts & Cocktails” that teamed up musicians with physicians and nurses on the front lines. Dr. Levy was subsequently selected to be a TEDx speaker@TEDxWrigleyville – “Humanity: An Inside View of the Pandemic.” An avid cellist, Dr. Levy is co-chair of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Soundpost series.
Special Thanks
Ms. Katie Couric
Fred Child, Host “Live From Lincoln Center” and “Performance Today”
David A. Greenwald, MD, FACG, ACG President
Mark B. Pochapin, MD, FACG, ACG Past President
Irving M. Pike, MD, FACG, ACG Past President
Tauseef Ali, MD, FACG, Chair ACG Public Relations Committee
ACG Public Relations Committee
Ciara Hopkinson, Katie Couric Media
About Colorectal Cancer Screening
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer. It is highly treatable and is often curable when caught early. Even during COVID-19, colorectal cancer screening is essential and should not be delayed.
Screening colonoscopy can find growths in the colon called polyps so they can be removed before they turn into colorectal cancer. During the pandemic, patients are urged to not put off needed health care, especially preventive tests.
The most common symptom of early colon and rectal cancers is NO symptom, so it is important to get screened. No matter what your age, never ignore new or worrying bowel symptoms.
ACG’s message for March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: You can prevent colorectal cancer. Don’t let COVID-19 stop you!