- Title: USA: BILL COSBY HOSTS THE SECOND ANNUAL "CELEBRATION OF AMERICA'S MUSIC"
- Date: 9th January 1997
- Summary: (RTV - ACCESS ALL) (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) ARETHA FRANKLIN SAYING, "I THINK JAZZ KIND OF SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. IF YOU'RE LISTENING YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR IT. IF YOU FOLLOW IT YOU'RE GOING TO ENJOY IT. JUST FOLLOW THE MUSIC."
- Embargoed: 24th January 1997 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVABQR9X4L1DZYJ4IEBP7CG7BMDE
- Story Text: - Celebrities, politicians and community leaders were on hand in Washington D.C. recently to join an all-star jazz line-up in paying tribute to America's jazz legends.
Co-sponsored by the Thelonious Monk institute of Jazz, the gala celebration featured several accomplished artists and musicians singing and performing the music of vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, trumpeter Dizzie Gillespie, pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, saxaphonist Wayne Shorter and jazz visionary Thelonious Monk.
Jointly produced by the Monk Institute and Seligman Entertainment, the event is to be broadcast for the second year in a row.
Performers at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts included jazz instrumentalists Brubeck, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry and Thelonious Monk, Jr; joining them were vocalists Al Jarreau, Nancy Wilson and Aretha Franklin. George Benson proved a double threat, singing and playing guitar.
Hosted by entertainer Bill Cosby, the special highlights the importance of jazz to America's musical culture, paying special attention to the efforts of the Monk Institute as the non-profit organization enters its 11th year of providing young musicians with the training, education and exposure necessary to develop into tomorrow's jazz greats.
the Institute's impact on the jazz world is evidenced by the success of saxaphonist Joshua Redman, and pianists Marcus Roberts and Jackie Terrasson, three standout graduates.
Among those in attendance were U.S Vice President Al Gore and wife Tipper, U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, television talk-show host Larry King and aactors Billy D. Williams, Debbie Allen and Sonia Braga. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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