If you’re a jazz enthusiast or a lover of music history, you’ll be thrilled to hear about our recent journey back to the iconic 2014 celebration, Blue Note at 75, a memorable event marking the Diamond Anniversary of Blue Note Records. Back then, the Kennedy Center pulled out all the stops, showcasing the impressive scope of talent under the iconic label. From May 3 to May 11 of that year, a host of events took place in various locations in Washington, D.C., including the Kennedy Center itself. Fast forward to recent years, we’ve seen the continuous influence of Blue Note, nurturing a new generation of artists who are shaping the future of jazz and music at large.
Reminiscing on Blue Note at 75
Hosted by Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor for Jazz and Blue Note Records artist, Jason Moran, Blue Note at 75 showcased performances by some of the iconic label’s most notable musicians. The event was a brilliant blend of concerts, lectures, film screenings, and a national online album cover art challenge for youth.
A Celebration of Iconic Sound, Style, and Design
According to Jason Moran, “Blue Note is the only jazz label that has been in existence for so long. It transcends time, and will always remain cool. It is jazz recording history.” The main stage featured performances from GRAMMY Award®-winning artists like Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, and others, culminating in a signature closing night concert.
Free Concerts and Art Exhibitions
Renowned artists performed free concerts on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. There was a photography exhibit at the Goethe-Institut, showcasing original photographs from iconic Blue Note album covers, a panel discussion on the 75-year history of Blue Note, hosted by the Library of Congress, and more.
About Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records has traced the entire history of jazz for over 75 years. The label’s beginnings start with childhood friends Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, who settled in New York City in the 1930s. After a brief dormancy from 1981-1984, Blue Note returned reinvigorated under the leadership of Bruce Lundvall, and in 2011, veteran record producer and musician Don Was joined Blue Note, eventually becoming President.
Artists from the 75-year history of the label include household names from the jazz and non-jazz realms, including: Cannonball Adderley, Anita Baker, Art Blakey, Terence Blanchard, Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis, Robert Glasper, Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones, Lionel Loueke, Wynton Marsalis, Jason Moran, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, and Cassandra Wilson.
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