Monk Institute of Jazz 2014 Trumpet Competition and All-Star Gala Concert Promises To Be Unforgettable Evening

By Danny R. Johnson

LOS ANGELES – One of the guiding mandates for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is to enrich, entertain, and expand a global community for Jazz through performance, education and advocacy. All of these elements will be on full display at the Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz All-Star Gala Concert, to be held at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on Sunday evening, November 9, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.

Academy Award winner actor Kevin Spacey, Monk Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock, multi-Grammy winner Quincy Jones, and celebrated actor Don Cheadle, will host the star-studded event which will feature a special tribute to President Bill Clinton, who is this year’s recipient of the Maria Fisher Founder’s Award. Chairman Hancock said, “We look forward to being in Los Angeles for our 2014 competition and jazz gala. This event promises to be historic, because not only are we showcasing the world’s most talented young trumpet players, we are honoring one of my personal heroes. President Clinton has been a jazz advocate for decades and supported the education programs of the Thelonious Monk Institute throughout his Presidency. He continues to be recognized for his creativity on the tenor saxophone, skills he honed during his youth through public school music programs.”

Each year, the Founder’s Award is given to an individual who has made major contributions to the perpetuation of jazz music and the expansion of jazz and music education in schools around the world. Past recipients of the Founder’s Award included: Aretha Franklin, Madeleine Albright, George Benson, B B. King, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Heath, Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry, Dr. David Baker, George Wein, Max Roach and Stevie Wonder.

A lifelong devotee of jazz, President Bill Clinton has been a supporter of the Institute for more than two decades. The first In Performance at the White House event of his Administration was an evening of jazz on the South Lawn that was televised on PBS. Throughout his eight years in office, he showcased jazz at the White House on numerous occasions, and through the U.S. Department of State enabled jazz masters to travel around the world with young jazz professionals and students, serving as ambassadors and sharing America’s music with millions of people. A special highlight was the Summit of the Americas, where President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright showcased jazz and the Institute’s musicians before 34 world leaders.

The Semifinals of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition will be held on Saturday, November 8th at Schoenberg Hall on the UCLA campus from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m. Each semifinalist will perform for 15 minutes, accompanied by Rodney Whitaker on bass, Reggie Thomas on piano, and Carl Allen on drums. Three finalists will be selected to participate in the Competition Finals on Sunday, November 9th at the Dolby Theatre. They will vie for scholarships and prizes totaling more than $100,000 including a $25,000 first place scholarship and a guaranteed recording contract with Concord Music Group.

This year’s Competition will feature 13 of the world’s most outstanding young jazz trumpeters who will perform before a panel of jazz greats including Ambrose Akinmusire, Randy Brecker, Roy Hargrove, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Owens and Arturo Sandoval. The trumpet semi-finalists are: Benny Benack III of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Alejandro Berti of Caracas, Venezuela; Chris Burbank of Bedford, New Hampshire; Billy Buss of Berkeley, California; Mike Cottone of Rochester, New York; Philip Dizack of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Marquis Hill of Chicago, Illinois; Alphonso Horne of Jacksonville, Florida; Aidan Lombard of Kenilworth, Illinois; Gabriel King Medd of Coralville, Iowa; Hermon Mehari of Kansas City, Missouri; Adam O’Farrill of Brooklyn, New York; and Mao Sone of Chiba, Japan.

Immediately following the three finalists’ performances at the Competition Finals, an All-Star Gala Concert on Sunday, November 9 will bring together some of the most renowned artists of our time. Special guests will include Pharrell Williams, John Mayer, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wayne Shorter, Queen Latifah, Jimmy Heath, Don Cheadle, Chaka Khan, Goldie Hawn, Taj Mahal, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Miller, Kenny Burrell, Stefon Harris, T.S. Monk, Joshua Redman, Billy Childs, M  elissa Aldana, Vinnie Colaiuta, James Genus, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ben Williams, Kris Bowers and others. John Beasley will serve as the evening’s musical director.

Proceeds from the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition and All-Star Gala Concert will support the Institute’s public school jazz education programs across the U.S. and around the world. All of these education programs are provided free of charge to students, schools and communities worldwide.

Air transportation is provided by United Airlines, Official Airline of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

Tickets Information:

Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition Semifinals

Saturday, November 8, 2014, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – UCLA Schoenberg Hall, Los AngelesTickets are free of charge and will be distributed at 11 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition Finals & All-Star Gala Concert

Sunday, November 9, 2014, 7:30 p.m. – Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.

To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.dolbytheatre.com/events. VIP packages, which include admission to the post-event VIP Cast Party, are available from the Institute at http://monkinstitute.org/competition/2014galapackages.php.

Danny R. Johnson is San Diego County News’ Jazz and Pop Music Critic