Washington, DC, Nov. 20, 2013 – The Washington Interdependence Council, administrators of the Benjamin Banneker Memorial, are producing its Annual Benjamin Banneker Birthday event in partnership with George Washington University at its Jack Morton Auditorium, located at 805 21st St., NW on Tues., Nov. 26, from 6-10 p.m. A Special Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration, this event is its Second Annual Benjamin Banneker Jazz & Poetry Fest, and will feature among the top Jazz and Spoken Word artists in the nation. To top off the program, iconic jazz legend, Mr. Lou Donaldson , will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Jazz category; and globally renowned Emmy Award winner, Val Gray Ward and her husband, Francis Ward, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award 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 Benjamin Banneker Music & Poetry Fest is a community service event with this year’s theme focusing on being thankful as the country kicks off its weekend Thanksgiving celebrations. The program line-up this year is comprised of an exciting mix of world class jazz and spoken word artists including St. Louis jazz diva, Denise Thimes, who has performed the world over, including at the White House. Washington DC Jazz Society Founder, and another second generation jazz artist, George V. Johnson , Jr., one of the few remaining scat jazz singers, will perform and serve as Celebrity Emcee of the program. They are joined by Thad Wilson, Founding Producer of the Friday’s Jazz in Sculpture Garden, Orchestra Leader and celebrated composer, is serving as Music Director of the event, and leader of the Benjamin Banneker Jazz Quartet who will also 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. Grammy nominated local jazz phenomena, Aaron Meyers, will round out the jazz artist offerings for the evening.
Chicago legend of Spoken Word licks, and Def Jam & BET poet extraordinaire, M’Reld Green, will feat her hometown Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, Val Gray and Francis Ward, with what promises to be an explosive celebration of the globally recognized husband and wife team of artistry that has shaped and influenced 100’s of artists the world over for more than 45 years. She will be joined by
DC’s own, Collective Voices, and other surprise performances, presenters, and GWU’s Pres. Knapp.
DC’s own, Collective Voices, and other surprise performances, presenters, and GWU’s Pres. Knapp.
This very special program is a holiday offering of the Washington Interdependence Council and George Washington University as they also celebrate the legacy of Benjamin Banneker, who worked for President George Washington as they established the nation’s capital in the late 18th century.
Companies, groups and/or persons interested in supporting this event should contact the Washington Interdependence Council at 202.387.3380 or order tickets on-line at info@bannekermemorial.org.
