On Monday, September 12, jazz lovers and supporters will gather to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.!
Event hosts Herbie Hancock, Phylicia Rashad, and Billy Dee Williams will honor Aretha Franklin with the Institute's 2011 Maria Fisher Founder's Award.
Performers will included John Beasley, Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ron Carter, Joey DeFrancesco, ELEW, Kurt Elling, Kevin Eubanks, Roberta Gambarini, Jimmy Heath, Lionel Loueke, Joe Lovano, Ellis Marsalis, Christian McBride, TS Monk, Jason Moran, Gretchen Parlato, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts, Wayne Shorter, Ben Williams, and many more (as of August 2.)
The celebration is part of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, the most prestigious jazz competition in the world. Three talented jazz pianists will compete for a chance to win a $25,000 scholarship and a guaranteed recording contract with Concord Music Group. This year's judges include Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, Jason Moran, and Danilo Perez.
This year's Competition and 25th Anniversary Gala Concert is sponsored by Cadillac. All proceeds will support Institute programs in Washington, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and around the world.
The semi-finals will be held at the National Museum of Natural History Baird Auditorium on Sunday, September 11 at 1 p.m. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets for the 25th Anniversary Gala Concert can be purchased through the Kennedy Center website or by calling the box office at 202-467-4600 or 800-444-1324.
If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, please visit our website or call 202-364-7272.
Thelonious Monk International JazzPiano Competition
and
25th Anniversary Gala Concert
Monday, September 12, 2011
7:30 p.m.
The Kennedy Center
Washington, D.C.
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