The Annual Jazz Tribute Awards & Concert was established to recognize and honor artists for their immense contributions in furthering the art form of jazz. This major fund-raising event attracts musicians and jazz lovers from all over Southern California and supports the general operations of the organization and its education programs – including Jazz in Schools and Bill Green Mentorship Program.
2024 Jazz Tribute Concert & Awards – That’s a Wrap!
October 5th was the night to celebrate an outstanding evening of jazz at CSUN’s Plaza del Sol! Our evening was hosted by the unparalleled Alonzo Bodden who thanked the CSUN Jazz Tentet for opening our show and then entertained the crowd throughout the Concert. The Jazz Society’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Honoree Marcus Miller and his band received a standing ovation – he is an uncomparable performer and truly deserved the accolades! Jazz Vocalist Veronica Swift continues to expand her musical genres and had the audience on their feet as she and her band took the stage. We truly thank Stanley Clarke and John Clayton for joining us and making those presentations – and thank our honorees for giving our audience such terrific performances.
The 2024 Flip & Shelly Manne Memorial New Talent recipient – pianist Taylor Lee – received critical acclaim! For the first time we honored THREE outstanding educators all from Agoura High School – Chad Bloom, Robert Hackett and John Mosely. It was also our distinct pleasure to present the Jazz Advocacy Award to LA City Council President Paul Krekorian for his longstanding support of the LA Jazz Society and our programs. Thanks to Joe LaBarbera, Rita Zwern, Ira Nepus, Julie Berghofer and Jordan Klein for paying tribute to these outstanding individuals. Special appreciation to Keeland Bowers for joining us to accept the Jazz Composer/Arranger Award on behalf of Kris Bowers who was unable to join us due to a family emergency.
The annual Tribute is our main Jazz Society annual fundraiser to support our operations and jazz education programs which benefit thousands of young people in LAUSD schools each year. Your support during the year, and at our tribute, allows us to continue these acclaimed programs.
Again, we thank you for your support in our mission – all for the love of jazz!
LA Jazz Society 40th Anniversary Celebration…
Hundreds of guests enjoyed a special evening with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Tierney Sutton, Sara Gazarek and many more. We renamed the Flip & Shelly Manne Memorial New Talent Award in honor of Flip’s recent passing and the first recipients were Jordan Klein and Charlie French – two fantastic young musicians who performed with their quintet. Honored to have received a City Proclamation from City Council President Paul Krekorian. Hosted by LeRoy Downs, the evening was dedicated to our 40 years of ‘Keeping Jazz Alive’.
Jazz Tribute Concert & Awards – October 29th – That’s a Wrap!
It was a beautiful evening for our Pre-Concert VIP Reception on the patio at 1600 Vine. Over 100 guests – honorees, presenters, and sponsors – enjoyed appetizers and wine as we all greeted and congratulated the award winners. So great to see our Jazz Society Chair – Mrs. Flip Manne – out and about at 101! Special thanks to everyone at 1600 Vine for hosting, Transparence Entertainment Group for providing the wine, Christian Ruiz for the music, and all of our sponsors and VIP ticket buyers for their support.
After the reception, everyone gathered at the Montalban Theatre for the Concert and Awards beautifully hosted by Rhonda Hamilton from KJAZZ. Our Shelly Manne Memorial New Talent recipients opened the show with their young quintet – Luciano Soriano and Jack Lieberman were so deserving of this year’s award, presented by Ira Nepus. The Los Angeles Jazz Society was so honored to pay tribute to Saul Levine and Stephanie Levine from KJAZZ for their extensive community support and all they have done for the Society over the years – Stix Hooper made that presentation. The irrepressible and legendary arranger Bill Holman was saluted by the outstanding young musicians in the CSUN Jazz “A” Band as they performed four of his memorable arrangements ending with a rousing rendition of ‘Stomping at the Savory’. Bill watched from the wings with presenter Jeff Hamilton – and that brought the first half to a close.
Following an intermission, the second half was all about Jazz Vocalist of the Year Ledisi – and Jazz Tribute Honoree Rickey Minor – and they made it their own. Following the presentation by Music Producer Gregg Field, Ledisi took the stage and received a standing ovation – with songs from the Nina Simone album and more. WOW! And, then, renowned actress, dancer, producer, choreographer Debbie Allen joined us to pay tribute to her friend Rickey Minor and presented our 2022 Jazz Tribute Award. While Debbie was dancing on the side of the stage, Rickey and his band rocked the house – and were then joined by Sheléa who brought the audience to their feet with her tribute to Rickey. Our memorable evening came to a close – but we’re also still dancing to the music!
NOVEMBER 23, 2020 – 6:00 PM PST
A BIRTHDAY SALUTE TO JOHNNY MANDEL
October 28, 2020 – A Celebration for the Love of Jazz!
Well what can we say – a two hour spectacular event with some of the greatest voices and musicians in the business! Hosted by the wonderful LeRoy Downs; our event was packed with performances (some live and some on video and some from home). And, our All Star Trio from The World Stage absolutely rocked it – Billy Childs, John Clayton and Christian Euman – and then they were joined by the incomparable Hubert Laws and Barbara Morrison – they brought the house down!
From start to finish – non-stop talent from vocalists extraordinaire – Michael Feinstein, Sara Gazarek, Barbara Morrison and Tierney Sutton (from Paris no less). Musicians beyond compare – Billy Childs, Gerald Clayton, John Clayton, Paul Cornish, Graham Dechter, Alex Frank, Justin Kauflin, Hubert Laws, Steve Lehman, Eric Reed, Jose Rizo, Poncho Sanchez, Ryan Shaw, and Matt Witek PLUS Katie Thiroux on both bass and scatting. THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM FOR SUPPORTING OUR CAUSE!
With extra special gratitude to our Artistic Chair and Music Director, JOHN CLAYTON, for putting together such a cavalcade of stars and jazz!!
He’s the Best !!!
Past Tribute Honorees
Past Tribute Awardees
1983 Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison*
1984 Shelly Manne*
1985 John Collins*
1986 Jimmy Rowles*
1987 George ‘Red’ Callender*
1988 Gerald ‘Wig’ Wiggins*
1989 Bob Cooper*
1990 Conte Candoli*
1991 Harold Land, Sr.*
1992 Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison*
1993 Ray Brown*
1994 Benny Carter*
1995 Louie Bellson*
1996 Buddy Collette*
1997 Terry Gibbs
1998 Horace Silver*
1999 Kenny Burrell
2000 David l. Abell*
2001 Gerald Wilson*
2002 Herbie Hancock
2003 Quincy Jones
2004 Les McCann*
2005 Jack Sheldon
2006 John Clayton
2006 Jeff Hamilton
2007 Johnny Mandel*
2008 James Moody*
2009 George Duke**
2010 Poncho Sanchez
2011 Arturo Sandoval
2012 Wayne Shorter
2013 Sheila E., Pete, Juan and Peter Michael Escovedo
2014 Florence “Flip” Manne*
2015 Alan & Marilyn Bergman*
2017 Johnny Mandel*
2019 Lee Ritenour
2021 Peter Erskine
2022 Rickey Minor
1986 Gerald Wilson*
1987 John Rinaldo*
1988 Dick Grove*
1989 Joel Leach
1990 Lyle ‘Spud’ Murphy*
1991 Bill Green*
1992 Joyce Collins
1993 Woody James
1995 Bobby Bryant*
1996 Dr. Thom Mason
1997 Charlie Haden
1998 Bobby Rodriguez
1999 Bill Berry*
2000 Ann Patterson
2001 Fernando Pullum
2002 James Newton
2003 Shelly Berg
2004 Uan Rasey*
2005 Ron McCurdy
2007 Greg Samuel
2008 Patrice Rushen
2010 John Mosley
2011 Ira Nepus
2012 Roger Neumann*/Scott Whitfield
2013 Ernie Fields, Jr, Charles Owens and Maestro Delbert Taylor*
2017 Don Erjavec
2021 Mitch Glickman
1987 Marsha Royal*
1988 Leonard Feather*
1989 Vi Redd
1990 Buddy Collette*
1991 Oscar Meza
1992 Teddy Edwards*
1993 Dorothy Donegan*
1994 Red Norvo*
1995 Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham*
1997 Snook Young*
1998 James Moody*
2000 Lee Young Sr*
2001 Herb Ellis
2002 John Levy
2003 Plas Johnson
2004 Red Holloway*
2005 Buddy Childers*
2006 Tommy LiPuma*
2007 Marla Gibbs
2008 Bud Shank*
2009 Frank Capp
2010 Mike Melvoin*
2011 Jeff Clayton
2012 John Pisano*
2013 Hubert Laws
2015 George Bohanon
2016 Quincy Jones
2017 Johnny Mandel*
2022 Bill Holman*
1986 Scott Colley
1987 Mike Fahn
1988 Eric Reed
1989 Steve Gregory
1990 Cecilia Coleman
1991 James Mahone
1992 Katisse Buckingham
1993 Linda Martinez*
1994 Donald Vega
1995 Washington Preparatory High School Jazz Ensemble
1996 Scheila Gonzalez & Zaine Musa
1997 Danton Boller
1998 Elijah James
1999 Miles Mosely
2000 Kevin Kanner
2001 LA County High School for the Arts Jazz Choir Ensemble
2002 Gerald Clayton
2003 Austin Peralta
2004 Kristopher Bowers
2005 Katie Thiroux
2006 Isaiah Morfin
2007 Eric Lamm
2008 Adam Moezinia
2009 Sammy Miller
2010 Chloe Feoranzo
2011 Max Lesser
2012 Jamael Dana Dean
2013 Alex Smith
2014 Nicholas Lee
2015 Julian Gomez
2016 Evan Abounassar
2017 Joey Curreri
2021 Evan Dexter
2022 Luciano Soriano and Jack Lieberman
2023 Charlie French / Jordan Klein
2009 Cathy & Howard Stone
2012 Jim Barrall
2016 Jackie & Howard Banchik
2017 Seth MacFarlane
1994 Zan Stewart
1995 Myrna Daniels & Bob Comden
1997 Ken Borgers
2004 Don Heckman
2005 Chuck Cecil
2006 Helen Borgers
2008 Mark Cantor
2022 Saul Levine, Stephanie Levine KJAZZ
1995 Darlene Chan
1996 Bette Y. Cox
1997 Al Nodal
1998 Uan Rasey*
2001 The Pedrini Family
2002 Howard Rumsey
2003 Catalina Popescu
2004 Remo Belli
2005 Clora Bryant
2006 Sybil Coker
2007 Ken Poston
2009 Joe Rothman & John McClure
2010 Anita E. Berry
2012 Terence Love
1988 Claire Fischer*
1989 Horace Silver*
1990 Nat Peirce*
1991 ‘Shorty’ Rogers*
1992 Gerald Wilson*
1993 Billy Byers*
1994 Lalo Schifrin
1995 Billy May*
1996 Van Alexander*
1998 John Clayton
1999 Roger Kellaway
2000 Teddy Edwards*
2001 Elmer Bernstein*
2002 Roger Neumann*
2003 Alan Broadbent
2004 Sam Nestico*
2005 Lennie Niehaus*
2006 Billy Childs
2007 Bob Florence*
2008 Tom Kubis
2010 Bill Cunliffe
2012 Gordon Goodwin
2021 Vince Mendoza
1992 Bill Henderson*
1993 Lorez Alexandria*
1994 Ernie Andrews*
1995 Ruth Price
1996 Sue Raney
1997 Joe Williams*
1998 Barbara Morrison*
2000 Dianne Reeves
2001 Marlena Shaw
2002 Annie Ross
2003 Keely Smith
2004 Patti Austin
2005 Diane Schuur
2006 Tierney Sutton
2007 Linda Hopkins
2008 Steve Tyrell
2009 Mary Stallings
2010 Dee Dee Bridgewater
2011 Monica Mancini
2012 Denise Donatelli
2021 Carmen Bradford
2022 Ledisi
Past Tribute Events Gallery
