Quincy Jones, former President Bill Clinton, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves and actor Kevin Spacey appear at the Thelonius Monk Jazz Trumpet Competition and All Star Gala Concert at Dolby Theatre on November 9, 2014 in Hollywood, California.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
By Phil Gallo
November 10, 2014 3:37 PM
Herbie Hancock, Kevin Spacey, Quincy Jones and a litany of major jazz musicians saluted President Bill Clinton on Sunday at L.A.'s Dolby Theater for his efforts in using jazz as a diplomatic force over the last 25 years.
Clinton, whom Hancock introduced as "the commander in chief of swing," received the Thelonious Monk Institute's Maria Fisher Founder's Award for his contributions to the perpetuation of jazz music and the global expansion of jazz and music education in schools. Clinton chronicled his own relationship with jazz as a saxophonist, starting at age 6 and ending around 16 when he decided he could not follow in John Coltrane's footsteps. In addition to praising the underpaid pioneers of jazz culture, Clinton said the teamwork learned in jazz education could play out in other areas.
"Sometimes a frustrated jazz musician," Clinton said, "winds up in another field and it works out well."
The concert, which included the three finalists in the Monk Institute's trumpet competition, emphasized jazz standards performed in the White House during Clinton's tenure. The concert branched into pop with Pharrell Williams and Hancock romping through a jazzy rendition of "Happy"; John Mayer tearing up the Crusaders' '70s classic "Put It Where You Want It"; and Taj Mahal adding gritty blues to the program with a salute to Robert Johnson.
After Spacey kicked off the evening aping the Frank Sinatra-Count Basie version of "Fly Me to the Moon," saxophonists Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman and Jimmy Heath, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, drummer T.S. Monk, and Hancock formed the first of numerous all-star bands to perform Lionel Hampton's "Flying Home," a Clinton favorite played at his first inaugural ball. Guitarist Kenny Burrell, trumpeter Jon Faddis, bassist Marcus Miller, pianists Billy Childs and former Monk competition winner bassist Ben Williams were among the musicians featured in various ensembles.
read more: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6312229/bill-clinton-jazz-award-los-angeles
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