From May 3 to May 11, 2014, the Kennedy Center presents Blue Note at 75, marking the Diamond Anniversary of Blue Note Records. Hosted by Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor for Jazz and Blue Note Records artist, Jason Moran, the salute features performances by some of the iconic label’s most notable musicians from past and present. In addition to events at the Kennedy Center, collaborative events at other locations in Washington, D.
C. —at the Goethe-Institut, the Library of Congress, and the German Historical Institute—include related lectures, film screenings, a photo exhibit, concerts, and more. In cooperation with the Los Angeles-based GRAMMY® Museum, a special exhibit in the Kennedy Center Hall of States displays examples of Blue Note album cover art, one of the label’s non-musical hallmarks.
ARTSEDGE, the Kennedy Center’s digital learning program, holds a national online album cover art challenge for youth in four cities, in association with the Digital Youth Network. Says Jason Moran, “Blue Note is the only jazz label that has been in existence this long – that exists today in its original form. It’s an icon of sound, style and design.
It transcends time, and will always remain cool. It is jazz recording history. ”Ticketed, main stage Kennedy Center events feature GRAMMY Award®-winning jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard and his quintet; GRAMMY®-winning hip-hop jazz pianist Robert Glasper and his Robert Glasper Experiment; a Listening Party with Jason Moran and Terence Blanchard discussing their all-time top Blue Note albums and tracks; and a signature closing night concert bringing together an all-star lineup of artists, including NEA Jazz Masters Lou Donaldson, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter, Dr.
Lonnie Smith, and McCoy Tyner. Additionally, renowned artists take to the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage to perform daily free concerts including – among others – Marlena Shaw, Fabian Almazan, Lionel Loueke, and Derrick Hodge. An additional performance of classic Blue Note repertoire will be given by members of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the big band orchestra in residence at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Highlights of other events throughout Washington, D. C. include a Francis Wolff photography exhibit at the Goethe-Institut, showcasing original photographs from iconic Blue Note album covers; a free panel discussion on the 75-year history of Blue Note, hosted by the Library of Congress; and a concert-lecture at the German Historical Institute.
For updates on all events, please visit www. kennedy-center. org/bluenote.
