JAZZ WITH A CAUSE

The Zacchaeus Medical Clinic has provided health care for the homeless since 1974. Operating on a budget of $100,000 a year, which includes the salaries of four staff members, the inner-city clinic located at 14th and N streets treats at least 100 people a week.

Today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lenny's, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, jazz musicians -- including vocalist Ronnie Wells, the Ron Elliston Trio and Buck Hill -- will give a benefit performance for the clinic.

Wells and the trio released two albums in February on their own Jazz Karma label, part of a series entitled "Remnants."

"We mostly selected tunes between World War I and World War II," says Elliston, the musical coordinator for the benefit. "We'll be playing pieces from the albums because they're our favorites." The trio will perform works by such timeless composers as Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and Harold Arlen.

Tenor saxophonist Hill will perform some of his original material.

"The clinic was in a real quandary as to how they could raise money," says Elliston, who was approached by friend Jutta Eigen, a volunteer at the clinic.

Since he often performs in the vicinity of the clinic, he says, "I really feel good about donating our time for the community."

For more information, call: 265-2400.

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