Saturday, January 26, 2008 will mark the Homecoming of the 21st Century Band to the Reichhold Center for the Arts in a benefit concert for United Way of St. Thomas-St. John's 2008 fundraising campaign. The concert is being dedicated to the late, great Jon Lucien who passed away last year. Cruzan Rum serves as the concert's major sponsor, and the concert is being funded in part by the V.I. Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Other generous sponsors are Ackley Media Group, Yacht Haven Grande and Guardian Insurance.

21st Century Band comprises world-class Virgin Islands' musicians led by drummer Dion Parson, saxophonist Ron Blake, bassist Reuben Rogers, trumpeter Rashawn Ross, and vocalist Rudy Faulkner. All are renowned musicians nationally and internationally. The band returns to Reichhold Center for the first time in seven years after an unforgettable debut concert in 2000.

"United Way is proud to be sponsoring the return performance of these talented musicians," said United Way President Cheryl George-Chance. She added, "This event provides yet another opportunity for individuals to give to United Way as its fundraising drive winds down." Funds raised by the concert will go directly to the support of United Way's 13 member agencies that provide needed services to the youth, elderly, disabled, hungry and the homeless.

Parson and Blake founded the 21st Century Band in 1998, and although they have remained active in the Band, their musical careers have taken them in different directions. Parson has been a drummer in demand for several recordings with major artistes and record labels, including Sony, Columbia and Concord records, and most recently performed in the smash-hit Broadway production of "The Color Purple." Blake, known for his eclectic saxophone style of fusing Latin, Caribbean, soul and funk to traditional jazz, is currently a member of the live band for NBC's "Saturday Night Live." Blake's newest release is due out this month. Rogers is considered among the top bassists in the world, appearing with such notables as Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman and Betty Carter. As a member of Dianne Reeves' touring trio, Rogers was instrumental in bringing Reeves to the Virgin Islands in 2006 to perform in a benefit concert for the United Way. The remaining members with V.I. roots, Ross and Faulkner, are also well-known and respected in the jazz world. Ross is presently a member of the famous Dave Matthews Band while Faulkner, the newest member of 21st Century, has performed with the jazz group, FRENS, as lead vocalist and percussionist.

Tickets for the event are priced at $60, $45 and $30 and are available from the Reichhold Center's box office and its outlets: Modern Music, Urban Threadz, Island Video at Nisky Center, V.I. Bridal & Tuxedo, Essentric Shoe Boutique and Home Again.

United Way is the single largest non-governmental provider of funds for human services in St. Thomas and St. John, supporting the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Boy Scouts Council, Civil Air Patrol, V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning, Ebenezer Gardens, Yellow Cedar Group Home, the Dial-A-Ride programs on St. Thomas and St. John, Legal Services of the Virgin Islands Habitat for Humanity and two summer programs.