via The Kennedy Center

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has selected the 47th Honorees for lifetime artistic achievements: acclaimed director and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola; legendary American rock band the Grateful Dead (Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Bobby Weir); blues rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Bonnie Raitt; jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer Arturo Sandoval; and The Apollo, which will receive a special Honors as an iconic American institution.

Arturo Sandoval

“I am profoundly humbled and deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. This recognition is an extraordinary milestone in my career and a testament to the support and encouragement I have received from my family, friends, colleagues, and fans. Throughout my journey, I have strived to create, perform, and inspire with passion and integrity. Being acknowledged by such an esteemed institution validates my efforts and motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of my art. I am incredibly grateful to the Kennedy Center for this honor, and I look forward to contributing further to the vibrant cultural tapestry that the Center celebrates and nurtures. Thank you once again for this incredible honor.”

See All Nominees on The Kennedy Center

Arturo Sandoval on TKA

via The Wall Street Journal

Meshell Ndegeocello is a modern master of electric bass. Her playing never calls undue attention to itself, yet her songs would fall apart without it. Bouncing between just two notes, she exudes authority while propelling “Travel,” which opens her new release “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin” (Blue Note, out Aug. 2). Her fleet-fingered, deep-toned groove arrives with sudden and transforming force halfway into the next track, “On the Mountain.” Later, her descending figure on “What Did I Do?” throbs with disarming fullness as it guides both the song’s form and its forlorn feeling.

Read Full Article on The Wall Street Journal

Meshell Ndegeocello on TKA

via IBMA

The nominees for the 35th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards have been announced. Béla Fleck is nominated for Banjo Player of the Year and Instrumental Recording of the Year with “Rhapsody in Blue(grass).” Michael Cleveland is nominated for Fiddler of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year with his band, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 26, at 7:30 PM EST at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina.

See All Nominees on IBMA

Béla Fleck on TKA

Michael Cleveland on TKA

via BMI

The Council of State Restaurant Associations wrapped up it’s 2024 conference at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland where BMI songwriter and Rock Hall inductee John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful regaled the audiences with the stores behind some of the 60’s band’s biggest hits as well as the iconic theme to the television show “Welcome Back Kotter” that he both composed and recorded.  The Lovin’ Spoonful’s first 7 singles made it into the top 10 of pop radio and cemented the group’s hall of fame status. After the band broke up in 1969, Sebastian went solo and was best known for his legendary and impromptu performance at Woodstock where he performed for more than 400,000 fans and cemented his status as a true rock star. Sebastian shared his stories and songs with BMI’s Dan Spears, who concluded their “fireside chat” by presenting him with multiple BMI Million Air awards for some of the prolific songwriter’s biggest hits including: “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Daydream,” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice,” “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind,” “Summer in the City” and “Welcome Back Kotter.” The CSRA promotes the success of state restaurant associations and their members and their annual conferences attract executives with hospitality associations from across the country.

Read Full Article on BMI

John Sebastian on TKA

via Downbeat

The results of the DownBeat 72nd Annual Critics Poll have been announced, with Charles Lloyd achieving an impressive sweep by winning four categories: Hall of Fame, Artist of the Year, Jazz Album of the Year (The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow, Blue Note Records), and Tenor Saxophone.

Cécile McLorin Salvant was also honored as Female Vocalist of the Year, while Meshell Ndegeocello received recognition as Electric Bassist of the Year.

Read the Complete Results on Downbeat

Charles Lloyd on TKA

Cécile McLorin Salvant on TKA

Meshell Ndegeocello on TKA