As a lifelong lover of art and culture, I have to say that this year’s Kennedy Center Honors left me absolutely spellbound. Each honoree represents a unique piece of our collective artistic heritage, from the timeless melodies of Bonnie Raitt to the groundbreaking vision of Francis Ford Coppola.
On Sunday evening in 2024, I had the privilege of witnessing a truly exceptional event – the Kennedy Center Honors. This prestigious occasion paid tribute to a diverse group of entertainers: the illustrious filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, the soulful singer Bonnie Raitt, the virtuoso trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, and surviving members of the legendary band Grateful Dead. Moreover, for the first time in history, an entertainment venue was also honored – the iconic Apollo Theater from New York City.
According to custom, the honorees sat in the presidential box at the Kennedy Center Opera House, accompanied by President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff. They had just come from a White House reception and were greeted with enthusiastic applause as they were introduced to the audience.
During the Trump administration, there’s a possibility that the long-standing White House tradition may temporarily pause, as Donald Trump chose not to attend this event during his initial term. However, the Kencen, a strictly nonpartisan arts organization, has promised to extend invitations.
On December 22nd, the Honors production, now in its 47th year, will be broadcast on CBS. This visually stunning and captivating event, once again produced by Done + Dusted, is full of delightful surprises. Unanticipated guests occasionally take to the stage to celebrate and entertain. For instance, during one lively segment, the Opera House’s stage was transformed to mimic the hallowed space of the Apollo Theater. The tribute to the Grateful Dead was embellished with fitting decorations, such as an iconic Volkswagen bus.
To kick off the event, Queen Latifah, our esteemed host, started things off by introducing everyone and playing a fitting selection of songs for each honoree, with Bonnie Raitt lending a hand. As the National Anthem was sung, opera vocalist J’Nai Bridges was accompanied by a marching military band.
Initially, Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted a tribute to Raitt, praising her as someone who is “full of fiery red hair and absolutely devoid of nonsense.” The event began with the timeless “Angel From Montgomery,” sung by Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris. This was followed by “Walking Blues” performed by Keb Mo and Susan Tedeschi.
Sheryl Crow and Brandi Carlile teamed up for “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Their collaboration ended with a heartfelt rendition of the timeless hit, “Nick of Time,” which was performed by Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, and Arnold McCuller.
The Sandoval tribute spotlighted the tale of the Cuban-born trumpeter and composer whose passionate connection to jazz led him to serve time in prison for defying regulations against the genre in his home country. After escaping, he and his family managed to reach the United States through London, marking the beginning of his musical journey. During this tribute, his compatriots, actor/director Andy Garcia and Cuban pianist/bandleader Chucho Valdés, were present. Additionally, renowned trumpeter and composer Chris Botti delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Smile.
A collection of gifted musicians collaborated on Sandoval’s piece titled “A Mis Abuelos.” Among them were Ruben Rodriguez, Trombone Shorty, Chucho Valdés, Pedrito Martinez, Yasser Tejada, Randy Brecker, and José Sibaja. In simpler terms, this means that many skilled musicians came together to work on Sandoval’s song “A Mis Abuelos,” with Ruben Rodriguez, Trombone Shorty, Chucho Valdés, Pedrito Martinez, Yasser Tejada, Randy Brecker, and José Sibaja being a few of them.
As a cinephile, I found myself captivated by the segment that followed at the iconic Apollo Theater. This presented a golden chance for the Done + Dusted team to shine, and they didn’t let it slip away. In one poignant tribute, the Opera House stage transformed into a nostalgic replica of the Apollo. It stood ready to honor the pivotal role this venue has played as a springboard for countless black artists. Behind me, a big band waited eagerly for their moment to contribute to this memorable event.
In the presidential box, there sat Michelle Ebanks, the current CEO, and her predecessor, Jonelle Procope.
The performers in this set consisted of comedian Dave Chappelle, who had previously been honored with the Kenneth Mark Twain Award. He shared a personal story about his daring 15-year-old self performing there. Although it was a short-lived performance, he acknowledged that it was a significant and memorable moment. In essence, he was quickly “cut” or “let go” by the notoriously critical theater audience when his jokes didn’t land well. However, this turned out to be an invaluable learning experience for him.
Among them were rapper and record producer Doug E. Fresh, actress and musician Queen Latifah, saxophonist Kamasi Washington, and dancer Savion Glover. The musical pair The War and Treaty serenaded the audience with renditions of “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
People attributed the long-lasting success of the renowned theater to a “unified effort across generations,” and urged the upcoming generation to preserve the legacy by continuing the tradition.
Grace VanderWaal’s heartfelt rendition of “The Impossible Dream” kicked off the homage to Coppola, which was presented by Robert De Niro. Notable friends from Los Angeles joined him on stage, such as George Lucas, Laurence Fishburne, Al Pacino, Coppola’s sister Talia Shire, his nephew Jason Schwartzman, his granddaughter Gia Coppola, and director Martin Scorsese.
People in turn lauded Coppola’s positions as a pioneer in cinema, a bold risk-taker, an imaginative visionary, and a relentless champion for perfection in all endeavors. Notably, Pacino pointed out that Coppola broke one of Hollywood’s cardinal rules: “He dared to invest his own funds into his very own production!
Other examples showcasing the honoree’s creativity were mentioned, such as Scorsese recalling an evening at Coppola’s house where a screening of “The Last Waltz” interrupted their dinner. While Coppola was preparing a red sauce that required constant stirring, he ingeniously set up an old projector to keep the sauce stirred, using a spoon attached to it as the story goes.
The night concluded with a Grateful Dead tribute that attracted fans of various ages, ranging from young to old. A preliminary video showcased endorsements from ice cream business owners Ben and Jerry, as well as musicians such as John Mayer and Norah Jones.
David Letterman made an appearance too, seemingly disheveled as if exiting a Volkswagen bus under the influence of a playful pretense. Actor Miles Teller and Actress Chloe Sevigny, both self-proclaimed Deadheads, shared their insights on the matter.
Discussed were the evolving renditions of The Dead’s timeless hits and the rich culture they have cultivated for decades. Predictably, the tribute paid homage to the band’s deceased members, particularly co-founders Jerry Garcia and bassist Phil Lesh, who passed away on October 25th.
The strong collection encompassed an emotional video of Garcia playing alongside the band, as well as renditions of Grateful Dead staples such as “Ripple,” “Friend of the Devil,” “Sugaree,” and “Not Fade Away.
In addition to the main act, you’ll also find artists like Sturgill Simpson, Grahame Lesh, Don Was, Kendrick Scott, Terrence Higgins, Jeff Chimenti, Rick Mitarotonda, Maggie Rogers, Leon Bridges, Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, and Susan Tedeschi on stage.
As per custom, the Honors ceremony commenced a night prior with an exclusive dinner for awardees and associates at the U.S. State Department. During this event, recipients were presented with their distinctive ribbons while receiving heartfelt accolades from colleagues. Soprano Renee Fleming, who was honored last year, served as the event’s host.
Notable moments at the event showcased Sandoval’s heartfelt rendition of “God Bless America” on his trumpet and the humorous musings about The Grateful Dead from comedian Al Franken, a self-confessed fan. Musician Sheryl Crow and previous recipient Mavis Staples lavished praise upon Raitt.
Film editor, director, and writer Walter Murch acknowledged honoree Coppola and shared memories of their decades-long bond. “I first encountered Francis during his work on the 1969 film ‘The Rain People,'” he recalled, noting that a surprising job opportunity soon followed.
Phylicia Rashad, an actress and singer, served as the host for a toast at the Apollo Theater. In her speech, she commended the venue for its unique blend of formats, visionary leadership, particularly under former president and CEO Procope, and its rich history. She highlighted the theater’s long-standing tradition of featuring legendary entertainers from various backgrounds, its artistic advancements, and its significant impact on American culture.
(Shown: Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, and Mickey Hart, members of The Grateful Dead, attending the Kennedy Center Honors on December 8)
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2024-12-10 01:47