Stanley, Lenny White on drums, Patrice Rushen on keyboards and Al Dimeola on guitar at the 2003 Scholarship concert.                                    Photo: Jay Matsueda

(Nov. 3) The Musicians Institute in Hollywood was the setting again for the 4th Annual Stanley Clarke Scholarship Benefit,  the most successful fund raiser yet. The all-acoustic evening featured a select group of some of the worlds greatest musicians. This year's show included Stanley's RTF bandmates Al DiMeola and Lenny White, as well as longtime friends George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty and  Patrice Rushen. During the concert three scholarships were awarded to deserving students, and the sold out audience witnessed a thrilling display of master musicianship, highlighted by recurring standing ovations. After Al DiMeola opened the show with a guitar solo, Jean-Luc Ponty presented a scholarship to keyboardist/songwriter Jasmine Rezai from Germany. Then Jean-Luc introduced Al and Stanley onstage for the first performance by "The Rite of Strings" in eight years. The trio played a set that included "Topasio", "Song To John", and "Renaissance". George Duke was introduced, and after he presented a scholarship to bassist Bryant Warner of Kansas, he then summoned Jean-Luc and Stanley to join him. Their performance of "Autumn Leaves" was highlighted by an amazing solo by the master of the keys. Stanley then played an acoustic solo after which he introduced Lenny White. Lenny presented a scholarship to guitarist Srinivas Parthasarathy of South India, and then announced that the next set would feature himself, Stanley, Al, and "a chick".  Patrice Rushen joined three quarters of the legendary group "Return to Forever" for a performance of their Grammy winning 1975 classic, "No Mystery". Once again, the Stanley Clarke Scholarship Concert was a night to remember for all for who were in attendance.