The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz celebrate its 25th anniversary on September 11 and 12, presenting the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and an All-Star Gala Concert in Washington, DC. A series of events and performances will honor the history of the Institute and its impact on jazz education.Highlights of the 25th Anniversary celebration include:
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition Semifinals:
Twelve semifinalists from around the world will compete and the three finalists will be announced at the end of the program. Judges include Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, Jason Moran, Danilo Perez and Renee Rosnes. (Sunday, September 11 from 1 PM to 5 PM in Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition Finals and 25th Anniversary All-Star Gala Concert:
The 25th Anniversary Celebration will feature an appearance by Aretha Franklin, the Institute's Founder's Award honoree. As a part of the evening, the three finalists will compete for scholarship prizes and a recording contract with Concord Music Group, and Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition winners from past years will perform a special tribute to the life and music of Monk. The winner of the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition will be announced, and leading jazz artists of multiple generations will be on hand to perform a wide range of music and styles. (Monday, September 12, 7:30pm at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.
Confirmed Artists:
Piano: John Beasley,Gerald Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Herbie Hancock, Eric Lewis, Ellis Marsalis, Jason Moran, Danilo Perez, Renee Rosnes, Ted Rosenthal, Helen Sung, Jacky Terrasson
Organ: Joey DeFrancesco
Bass: Ron Carter, Daryl Hall, Christian McBride, John Patitucci, Joe Sanders, Rodney Whitaker, Ben Williams
Drums: Carl Allen, Ronald Bruner, Terri Lyne Carrington, Sebastiaan DeKrom, TS Monk, Harold Summey
Saxophone: Seamus Blake, John Ellis, Jon Gordon, Jimmy Heath, Jon Irabagon, Godwin Louis, Joe Lovano, Wayne Shorter, Walter Smith
Trumpet: Ambrose Akinmusire, Terence Blanchard, Diego Urcola
Guitar: Kevin Eubanks, Lionel Loueke, Lage Lund, Jesse Van Ruller
Trombone: Andre Hayward
Vocal: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Gambarini, Sara Lazarus, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Jane Monheit, Gretchen Parlato, Dianne Reeves
Percussion: Sean Thomas
Vibes: James Westfall