Sagewood, a Life Plan Community featuring a resort-style setting in Phoenix, recently hosted their 100th live concert at the Oasis performance center, the community’s onsite concert venue. Woody’s Place Presents, a resident led production team, hosted over 300 residents for connection, socialization and to experience the world-renowned, Emmet Cohen Trio, featuring Benny Benack III.
Woody’s Place Presents was established by former Berklee College of Music president and namesake, Lee Berk, his wife Susan, and Sagewood jazz aficionado, Martin O’Sullivan. Lee Berk also formed a jazz appreciation group to support and nurture jazz in Arizona and served as an adviser to the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. Lee, Susan, and Martin made it their mission to bring their love of jazz to Sagewood to educate music fans and bring people together through the arts.
“My husband Lee wanted everyone to experience the harmony that can only be found by listening to music,” said Susan Berk. “Woody’s will continue to be the place Sagewood residents can enjoy extraordinary musical performances for years to come. This is our tribute to him and the musical legacy he left us all.”
This special 100th performance, which honored the late Lee Berk, was underwritten by Lenny and Annette Frankel, both Sagewood residents and friends of Berk. Over the years, Woody’s Place Presents hosted world-renowned musicians playing music of all kinds. The special 100th concert featured swing, bebop, and modern jazz.