Own a piece of New Haven history with this picture of Duke Ellington and Willis "Jim" Smith at Woolsey Hall in New Haven taken by local photographer Woody Ford.

More about Woody Ford:

"From taking photographs of jazz musicians performing, in rehearsal and off-stage, I have hewn a style that is rich in expressive content but spare. I took the photographs for Grammy award-winning saxophonist Yusef Lateef's 2000 album "Beyond the Sky," and, over a three-year period, I documented the restoration of the Yale University School of Music.

In 1972, the Duke Ellington Foundation at Yale brought together more than 50 musicians who performed in a "Conservatory Without Walls." The photographs I took at this event included images of up-and-coming stars like Jon Faddis as well as giants such as Charles Mingus, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Duke Ellington, Marion Williams, and Johnny Coles from jazz's Golden Age.

More recently, I photographed mainstays of the current jazz scene - Dick Hyman, Wycliffe Gordon and Bill Charlap among them - in rehearsal for the "Jazz in July" festival at New York's 92nd St. Y."

Now is your chance to own an image of a jazz icon from a renowned local jazz photographer to display!

Please note that this photograph comes beautifully framed. The framing has been professionally updated in 2021 by Framed in Hamden, CT

This unique photograph comes from Charles Kingsley, a local attorney and former Board president of the NHSO. His interest in photography has brought him around the world to take pictures such as this one.

The framed dimensions of this image is 34.5" by 26".

Watch your NHSO from VIP seating in Woolsey Hall.

President Taft was a New Haven resident and frequently visited Woolsey Hall. Yale made a special seat to accommodate his visits to the hall.

This 3-ticket package includes President Taft's seat (not usually available to the public) and the two adjacent seats in the first row of the balcony.

The ticket package will be available for a future, in-person concert according to Classics concert series and winner's availability .

Come one and all and see magician Joshua Kaplan perform card tricks right before your eyes! Have Joshua perform at your next small gathering or event!

About Joshua Kaplan:

My name is Joshua Kaplan and I'm a seasoned magician from the Tri-State area specializing in close up card manipulation. During my high school years, college years, and pre-COVID19, I was a regular performer at "A Taste of Magic," one of New York's most highly rated magic shows. All of my magic is up close and personal, involves audience participation, and is experienced like no other magic you've ever seen- and is all done with ordinary playing cards.

Unfortunately because of how busy my life has gotten and because of COVID, I have not been able to perform, however this silent auction has provided me the opportunity to showcase my skills at an event or small gathering of your choice for a good cause!

This beautifully stylized painting of jazz legend John Coltrane comes from local social worker and artist-at-heart Chris Bidorini.

It captures Coltrane caught in the moment of performance and would be a great addition to any music room.