Betty Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Elvin Jones and Wes Montgomery were inducted into Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola on June 9.
The EJHF, according to a press release, “honors legendary artists or members of the jazz community based on their singular dedication and outstanding contribution to jazz.” This year’s inductees, the release states, were nominated by “a committee of select musicians and scholars, and then voted in by jazz fans around the world from January 31 through February 14, 2014.” To date, Jazz at Lincoln Center has inducted 45 members into the EJHF and will continue to induct new members annually.
Each inductee was honored with a video montage and a performance by special guest artists and the EJHF induction ceremony’s house band featuring Chris Pattishall, Yasushi Nakamura and Billy Drummond.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Betty Carter estate was her son, Myles Redding. Accepting the award in memory of Fletcher Henderson was Vince Giordano. Accepting the award in memory of Elvin Jones was his longtime friend and collaborator, Gene Perla. And accepting the award on behalf of Wes Montgomery’s estate was Robert Montgomery, Wes’ son.
