THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Law and Order: SUV's Tamara Tunie supports Hearts of Gold by hosting its Fall Gala

Also: The Sax Pack is back with a new Jazz CD off the Shanachie Entertainment imprint.

Law and Order: SUV's Tamara Tunie supports Hearts of Gold by hosting its Fall Gala

   *The Hearts of Gold non-profit organization helps New York City mothers and their children in residence at their three Manhattan shelters. It recently hosted their 13th Annual Fall Fundraising Gala “It's a Love Thing” hosted by Law and Order: SUV's Tamara Tunie. The event offered a fashion show, auction, after-hours party and more. Tamara shared hosting duties with CNN's Soledad O'Brien, the organization's Goodwill Ambassador.

   “I was invited to a gala about five years ago through a friend who is president (Jack Gindi),” said actress Tamara Tunie about how she became involved in the non-profit organization. “I was impressed with the organization. It is such a grassroots organization. Her drive (Founder and Executive Director Deborah Koenigsberger) impressed me. If you ever met a person no one can say no to she is the person.”

   Tamara said Deborah's energy and passion was infectious. After attending a couple of the events, Tamara Tunie was made an honorary chair on the advisory board that also includes The Honorable David N. Dinkins, Rhonda Ross (Diana Ross' daughter), and Vanessa L. Williams (“Ugly Betty”).

   “What I really found attractive is its mission to help those moms with education and employment,” Tunie said. “So they can step out...and govern aide on their own.”

   Tamara Tunie, a Pennsylvania native, started her work as an actress as Jessica Griffin McKechie Harris on the day-time soap opera “As the World Turns” from 1986-1995 and again from 1999-2007. She also appeared on NYPD Blue as Lillian Fancy from 1994-1997, Alberta Green on “24” and is currently Melinda Warner on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit since 2000. In film, Tamara narrated the story for Eve's Bayou and acted in Devil's Advocate and Snake Eyes.

   Hearts of Gold (HoG) was founded in 1996 by former model and fashion stylist Deborah Koenigsberger who was touched by the struggles of homeless women (and their children). To date it has raised over $1.6 million for its shelters and also other city shelters such as Icahn House East, Nazareth Housing, Alexander Abraham Residence and Semiperm HDFC.

   For more information or to donate to the HoG organization log onto www.HeartsofGold.org and for more information on actress Tamara Tunie log onto www.nbc.com/Law_and_Order_Special_Victims_Unit/about/tamara-tunie.shtml. 

The Sax Pack is back with a new Jazz CD off the Shanachie Entertainment imprint

   Three outstanding saxophone players, Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Steve Cole, together make the triple-Jazz-threat The Sax Pack. The Sax Pack recently released their second joint project on Shanachie Entertainment titled “The Pack is Back.”

   “I was backstage on another show watching the remake of The Rat Pack. I called Steve and Kim (with the idea of thanks to a friend Miles Gildersale who joked he should do The Sax Pack),” said sax player Jeff Kashiva about how he founded the group. “We had no material but great chemistry!”

   Steve Cole laughs and says, “We were the only ones who took his call!”

   While you know how God works things out because the collective of Jeff, Steve and Kim Waters saxophone playing together is like no other and makes for a powerful group, a group that has thus far recorded two powerful projects. Not to forget their “rat pack” image of them in suits with open collar, loose tie and a martini in hand.

   The first single off “The Pack is Back” CD release, “Fallin' For You,”  was number one on the Jazz charts for 11 consecutive weeks. They just released a hot remix of that single by Davy D.

   “We are diverse,”  Jeff admits when I mentioned that I could tell the difference in the horn playing on the CD. “I never hung out with Kim but we have a great relationship.”

   “We all have certain strengths,” Steve adds. “A non verbal communication...the music writes itself.”

   The Sax Pack has been touring for the last five years to sold-out venues. Their Shanachie debut was self-titled and released in 2008.

   Jeff Kashiwa is a soulful Jazz sax player, Kim Waters brings his Urban/Jazz sax playing and Steve Cole adds his R&B/Jazz influence.

   “We perform in suits,” Jeff points out. “They are provided by a Touch of Class, Steve Hooks' H&M.”

   My favorite cuts on the CD include the first single “Fallin' For You” because its a hand clapping jam; “Wanna Get Closer” a feet-tapping number; the title track “The Pack is Back” which gives you something fast to dance to, and “All That I Am” is a sexy slow dance selection.

   For more information on The Sax Pack log onto www.TheSaxPack.com and to hear songs from the “The Pack is Back” CD log onto www.myspace.com/TheSaxPack.