‘Hello, Nathaniel’: Ayers’ trip to D.C. one of uncertainty, triumph.
When he spun a dream on skid row using two violin strings, the musician never would have envisioned a command performance at the White House. Yet, here he is.
Click to read Steve’s whole article.
On Monday, July 26, President Obama hosted an event on the White House South Lawn to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The President delivered his remarks discussing how far we have come - and how far we have to go. Invited guests included Cabinet officials, Members of Congress, grassroots leaders and Americans living with disabilities. President Obama commended President George H. W. Bush for signing the original ADA. Following his remarks, President Obama held a signing ceremony where he instituted additional regulations ensuring fair and equal access for disabled Americans.
The event included performances by Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, Patti LaBelle and Marlee Matlin, and remarks by Marca Bristo, President of Access Living, White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes. Robert David Hall introduced the President. Mr. Ayers looked particularly dapper in all white, all the way to his bolo hat. He impressed the audience by playing both the violin and trumpet. He reminded us again of his determination and courage as he made his musical statement to “Stop the Stigma” and ensure the fair and equal treatment of all Americans.
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Nathaniel Ayers, who is also known as The Soloist, played the Hall of Administration today after being presented with a Scroll of Appreciation by Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. The Supervisor honored Mr. Ayers for representing Los Angeles County at the upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the White House with President Barack Obama. Nathaniel plays Hall of Administration
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The Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) annually presents the PRISM Awards, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), FX Network, and News Corporation, for outstanding accomplishments in the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction, as well as mental health issues, in film, television, interactive, comic book, music, and DVD entertainment. PRISM Award winners are selected through a submission and review process by members of the creative community and scientific experts. They are selected for their entertainment value, accessibility of their message, and scientific accuracy. The production in each category that best exemplifies these three objectives is presented with an award.
We are proud to announce that The Soloist, a film about the life of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers and his struggle with schizophrenia won the 2009 Prism Award in the category of Feature Film - Mental Health
See list of winners
Robert Gupta, violinist with the LA Philharmonic, talks about a violin lesson he once gave to a brilliant, schizophrenic musician—and what he learned. Called back onstage later, Gupta plays his own transcription of the prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1. It discusses the profound power of Music over the power of his mental health challenges.
It’s a short but powerful video.
]]>Nathaniel was very pleased with the ceremony as evidenced by his willing acceptance of the rousing applause and his happily accommodating the many interview requests that followed in the press area.
What a major step for Mr. Ayers. He is already asking when will his next trip take place.
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Beginning from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday throughout February, the Cleveland Cavaliers are proud to host their 6th annual Black Heritage Celebration (BHC), presented by State Farm. The 2010 BHC is highlighted by three special Cavalier home games featuring events and programs for each game that pay tribute African-American culture and achievement in recognition of Black History Month and a free concert at Cleveland’s largest African-American church, “THE WORD” Church.
The Cavaliers will host Black Achievement Night, which will feature a very special pregame reception and halftime tribute to Black Achievers of Ohio. This tribute will honor some of the state’s greatest entertainers. Celebrities that have been invited:
• World-Class Violinist portrayed in the movie “The Soloist”, Nathaniel Ayers
• Actress and entertainer, Vanessa Bell Calloway
• Academy Award nominated actor and recording artist, Terrence Howard
A CD project many years in the making has come to fruition. Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, former Juilliard student, who has battled mental illness and was homeless and playing a two-string violin five years ago, has been joined by several notable musicians and composers to make this recording. A pal of his, Joe Russo, flew in from Connecticut; L.A. Philharmonic pianist Joanne Pearce Martin and violinist Robert Gupta were there. And Michael Balzary, also known as Flea of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers, was eager to join in.
I was beginning to think we’d never get around to making the CD that Nathaniel Anthony Ayers has been talking about for years. Last summer, on a trip to San Francisco, where Mr. Ayers was honored for his spirit by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, we came up with the perfect name for it: “Putting on Ayers.” (Read the whole LA Times article here)
http://www.kcet.org/socal/2010/02/the-soloist-putting-on-ayers.html
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Jennifer Ayers-Moore introduced and answered questions following the screening of “The Soloist” at the Association for Community Living Agencies in Mental Health’s (ACLAIMH) 30th Annual Conference in Lake George, New York on November 4-6, 2009. ACLAIMH is the trade association for New York State’s agencies that provide residential services to individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities. Addressing the theme, “Everyday Heroes,” conference workshops and presentations highlighted the gamut of issues associated with providing residences for the mentally ill, while paying tribute to ACLAIMH’s frontline members who work at residential facilities throughout the state. 