The 2016 Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Jazz Celebration was presented by the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation on Monday, 20 June (8-11 p.m.) in the ballroom of Little Rock's historic Capital Hotel.
Early jazz greats Junie Cobb and Alex Hill, as well as jazz icon Clark Terry were inducted posthumously. Gwen Terry was present to accept the award for her husband.
Immediately after his own induction, Ted Ludwig performed with Joe Vick and Brian Brown. (The trio appears Thursday-Sunday evenings in the Capital Bar and Grill, the hotel's historic gathering spot for Arkansas politicos and jazz aficionados...) Later in the evening, vocalist Nan Maureen Renaud and pianist Bob Boyd sat in. The event featured jazz ensemble included Thomas East (vocals, keys), Guido Ritchie (trumpet, flugelhorn), Matt Treadway (guitarist), 2014 Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Joe Vick (upright bass), and Brian Brown (drums).
James Thomson (1992 incorporator and current president for the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation) opened the event with assistance from AJHF member Allen McMillan. AJHF Secretary Alita Mantels served as emcee. Others representing the Foundation were Vice President Benita Porter Browning (who also serves as executive director for Art Porter Music Education) and two directors, C. Michael Bailey and Dito Morales.
Attorney Blake Hendrix (who facilitated the Foundation's 1992 incorporation) was among dozens of jazz aficionados who attended the event. In addition, more than twenty jazz artists attended, including 2014 Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Tom Richeson and Clay Hooten, a AJHF member who also coordinates the Arkansas Jazz Educators' annual Arkansas Jazz Festival.
Special guests included Arkansas Symphony Orchestra director Philip Mann and renowned artist Barry Thomas.
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"Nightflying down Hamburger Alley..."