More Information can be found on the Banneker Memorial website by Clicking Here. Iconic Jazz Living Legend “Sweet Papa” Lou Donaldson and Kuumba Theatre Founders Val Gray and Francis Ward Receive Benjamin Banneker Lifetime Achievement Awards at 2nd Annual Benjamin Banneker Jazz & Poetry Fest Hosted by George Washington Univ.The Washington Interdependence Council , administrators of the Benjamin Banneker Memorial, are presenting its Second Annual Benjamin Banneker Jazz & Poetry Fest in partnership with George Washington University at its Jack Morton Auditorium on Thurs., Feb. 27, from 7-10 p.m. followed by a VIP Reception at Tony & Joe’s Seafood in Georgetown. A very special Black History Month Celebration, this event will pay homage to iconic jazz legend, “Sweet Papa” Lou Donaldson, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement in the Jazz category; and Chicago’s Kuumba Theatre Founders, Val Gray and Francis Ward, will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards in the Spoken Word category. Val Gray Ward founded Kuumba Theatre in Chicago in 1968 along with her business partner and husband, Francis Ward, whom she refers to as the “Rock” of the operation. The renowned theatre company is the recipient of 21 Emmy Awards for their heralded musical production of Stroll Down 47th St. Dr. Ben Vinson, III, Dean of GWU’s School of Arts & Science; Peggy Cooper Cafritz, Founder, Duke Ellington School of Arts and Dean Cibel, Co-Owner of Tony & Joe’s Restaurant in Georgetown are serving as Honorary Co-Chairs of the event
The Benjamin Banneker Music & Poetry Fest is a community service event and its 2014 Annual Black History Month celebration. The program line-up is comprised of an exciting mix of world class jazz and spoken word artists including DC jazz’s diva, Sharon Clark, a celebrated world class jazz artist known for her extraordinary riffs and range as a classic jazz vocalist. Washington DC Jazz Society Founder, and second generation jazz artist, George V. Johnson, Jr., will perform and serve as Celebrity Emcee of the program. They will be joined by Thad Wilson, Founding Producer of the Friday’s Jazz in Sculpture Garden, Orchestra Leader and celebrated composer, also serving as Music Director of the Benjamin Banneker Jazz Quartet for the event will pay homage to “Sweet Papa” Lou Donaldson as one of the Founding Fathers of Bebop; and arguably the most famous living jazz artist in the world. DuPont Circle’s Black Fox in-house jazz phenomena, Aaron Meyers, will round out the jazz artist offerings along with Saxophonist Bill Davis who will provide the entertainment at the VIP Reception following the event.
Chicago’s Def Jam & BET poet extraordinaire, M’Reld Green, will feat her hometown Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, Val Gray and Francis Ward. She will be joined by DC’s own, Collective Voices, and other surprise performances, presenters, and Honorary Guests.
Founded in 1996, the Washington Interdependence Council, are the administrators of the Benjamin Banneker Memorial & Institute slated to be erected along L’Enfant Plaza/Banneker Overlook Park. For more information, please Click Here.
