More than 400 attendees joined WBGO and sponsor Prudential Financial last month at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark for the 2008 Champions of Jazz Gala.
Village Vanguard owner Lorraine Gordon received the Champions of Jazz Presenters Award.
Jazz promoter and producer George Wein presented Arthur Barnes, NJMIH (the National Jazz Museum in Harlem) Chairman, and former Senior VP for External Affairs at the Health Plan of New York, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work and advocacy of jazz. During his tenure at HIP from 1993-2008, Barnes cultivated a constituency within the jazz world, often stating that with a name like HIP, it seemed only natural to reach out to the jazz community. Over the years he has raised millions of dollars in support of jazz and other institutions.
The Star Ledger, New Jersey’s largest daily newspaper, was the recipient of the Community Award for their service to the jazz and cultural communities.
The music spanned the generations with performances by the NJPAC Jazz For Teens Program, and the William Paterson University Jazz Ensemble. Drummer T.S. Monk made a special introduction to a rising-star jazz ensemble that included pianist Radam Schwartz, trumpeter James Gibbs and saxophonist Alex Stein. The night of music was rounded out by legendary pianist Cedar Walton, a long-time friend of Gordon and headlining staple of the Village Vanguard..
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