The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 738 S. Broad St., has announced the recipients of its inaugural Clef Club Jazz Awards, taking place Saturday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.
Receiving 2012 Clef Club Jazz Awards "recognizing artists who contribute to the legacy of jazz and the arts in Philadelphia," will be Bernard Watson and the Rev. John Dawkins. Saxophonist Bootsie Barnes will receive the Living Legend Award.
Epitomizing the theme "Preserving, Presenting, Educating," honorees in specialized instrumental and vocal categories were nominated by the general public through a ballot posted at the Clef ClubWeb site and selected by the Clef Club Jazz Awards committee. The inaugural honorees are:
Piano: Aaron Graves
Tenor saxophone: Bootsie Barnes
Alto saxophone: Julian Pressley
Trumpet: Leon Jordan, Jr.
Trombone: Brent White
Bass: Lee Smith
Drums: Craig McIver
Guitar: Monnette Sudler
Female vocalist: Denise King
Male vocalist: TC III
Vibes: Richard Adderly
A highlight of the evening will an appearance by Board President Dr. Constance E. Clayton, who will discuss the status and new direction of the Clef Club. Also in the spotlight will be a performance by the talented Student Ensemble under the direction of Lovett Hines, and the Millennium Band, directed by Vernon Lewis, will serve as the house band for the awards program, featuring classic tunes from the Cotton Club era. There will be an impromptu jam session featuring the honorees, and light refreshments will be served.
"We wanted to do something for the Clef Club, and we wanted to do something for the artists who come through here all the time – the musicians who are housed here," said Clef Club Jazz Awards committee chairman Sid Lucas, who anticipates that the awards ceremony will become a "signature annual event."
General admission tickets for the Clef Club Awards are $45 for non-members and $35 for members. VIP tickets, which include an exclusive reception at 6 p.m., are available for $100. For tickets and information call (215) 893-9912 or visit www.clefclubofjazz.org and click on the event link.
Contact Entertainment Reporter Kimberly C. Roberts at (215) 893-5753 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
