Sound Soiree is back with the 2^nd Annual Benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), taking place May 11 at the Westlake’s groovy DTLA adjacent venue Teragram Ballroom at 1234 w 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017 at 7pm.

Singer/songwriters Jason Ryan Taylor and Brian Ripps are hosting with LLS Woman of the Year nominee, Stephanie Insalaco. In addition to Taylor previewing his upcoming album Creation Creator, popular indie artists Erland, Chris Ayer, Alex John Butte, and Saint London will perform, along with Puscie Jones and Brenda Carsey & the Awe who are back from last year’s event. Plus, Falcor aka Jared Krystyan, who was crucial to the 2015 Soiree for LLS, will be house DJ for the night. Pre-sale tickets are $20 and are available online or at the Teragram Ballroom Box Office or are $25 at the door. A limited number of VIP meet and greet tickets are available, including a chance to meet Robby Krieger from The Doors at the event.

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS exists to find cures, ensure access to treatments, and are the voice for all blood cancer patients. LLS has a history of success and one of the highest ratings on Charity Navigator, ensuring the highest percentage of donations goes directly to beneficiaries.

In addition to the performances, the evening will also honor a top Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fundraiser, Stephanie Insalaco. In 2011 she ran the NYC Marathon with Team in Training, the official team that supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Now she’s a candidate for LLS’s Man/Woman of the Year Campaign—a prestigious 10-week fundraising competition that culminates on June 23rd, 2016. Stephanie is an eclectic individual born and raised in New York City. She has her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, has been a therapist to the teenage and veteran populations, is a Certified Pilates Instructor, currently teaching full-time, and an artist at her very core.

Stephanie reached out to Erland and his brother in law, Andrew McMahon, of the popular bands Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin. Andrew has very publicly battled Leukemia, and started the Dear Jack Foundation, whose efforts benefit youth who are diagnosed with cancer. Erland will be performing an intimate acoustic set in the beginning of the night, joined by a couple surprise special guests.

Event co-host Brian Ripps was a 2015 LLS “Man of the Year” nominee, raising $60,000 on his Tour4aCure campaign last year. He recently opened for Rob Thomas in NYC. Brian sings a wide range of over 900 popular radio hits by memory, and played more than 300 gigs last year. He is a profound supporter of LLS, and will come back to Los Angeles from New York to host the 2nd annual event. You can hear his live cover of Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” here, recorded at last year’s Los Angeles fundraiser.

Jason Ryan Taylor is the stage manager at Teragram Ballroom, and has dedicated himself to giving back through music. Jason played guitar with members of O.A.R. and Guster on the Mayercraft Carrier, hosted by John Mayer, just months before breaking his neck in 2009. Jason, a name which literally means “healer,” is using his position in the music industry to bring people together and help mend the human condition. Recently, he’s played benefits, sometimes as the guitar player in The Puscie Jones Revue, for Unlikely Heroes (a nonprofit dedicated to providing safe homes and restoration to child victims of sex trafficking), the American Cancer Society, support for Syrian refugees, and has a performance benefiting The Children's Hospital of Los Angeles coming up May 22.

Taylor’s debut EP Creation Creator, set for release in June, was produced by Grammy Award winner Darryl Swann (Macy Gray), and young gun Thomas Rojo. The EP features musical friends such as bassist Andre Brown (TLC, Raury, Keri Hilson) pianist Will Herrington (Sara Gazarick) and drummer Mike Baker (Colbie Caillat, Gavin Degraw, Andy Grammer). Jason started Sound Soiree in 2014 to produce records, live events, develop artists, and give back to the community.

In addition to a majority of ticket sales going to LLS, the event will also feature other opportunities to give to this highly rated charity including a raffle of a Black by Young skateboard signed by RJD2 at his recent sold out Teragram show, two one month free unlimited yoga classes from Yoga Nest, massage therapy by Seth Gentry, and framed photography by Debi Del Grande. Further donations can be given for Sound Soiree and Jason Ryan Taylor merchandise, paintings by Jordan B. Nice, and a poster signed by White Denim from their recent sold out show at Teragram Ballroom.