×
×
homepage logo

12th annual Don Redman Heritage Awards and Concert

By Staff | Jun 28, 2013

On Saturday, June 29, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will host the 12th Annual Don Redman Heritage Awards & Concert at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Ballroom in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This year’s event features master jazz trombonist Buster Cooper and legendary double bassist Eddie Gomez. The two men will be joined by the Howard Burns Quartet.

An extroverted trombone stylist best-known for his association with Duke Ellington, Buster Cooper’s witty style is always a joy to hear. Early in his career, Buster played with Nat Towles’ territory band in Texas and with Lionel Hampton in 1953. He was in the Apollo Theater’s house band for two years, played with Benny Goodman, and formed the Cooper Brothers Band with his brother Steve on bass. The trombonist had plenty of solo space with Duke Ellington’s Orchestra from 1962-1969, spent time in Florida, and moved to Los Angeles in 1973, where for the next couple of decades he played with many local jazz orchestras, including the Juggernaut and Bill Berry’s L.A. Band. Showing no signs of slowing down, Buster Cooper continues to entertain audiences with spirited performances that are always thoroughly swinging.

Legendary bassist Eddie Gomez has been on the cutting edge of music for over four decades. The two time Latin Granny award-winner’s impressive resume includes performances with jazz giants Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan and Benny Goodman. Eddie’s unique sound and style can be heard on hundreds of recordings spanning the worlds of jazz, classical, Latin jazz, rhythm and blues, popular & contemporary music. Eddie is currently Artistic Director at the Conservatory of Music Puerto Rico where he has been professor and artist-in-residence since 2005. A sought after educator, he gives master classes at many of the major universities and conservatories throughout the United States, Europe, Japan and South America. Eddie Gomez continues to enjoy an active career as a performer, recording artist, composer, educator and featured guest artist on many high profile projects.

These jazz greats will receive the Don Redman Heritage Award during Saturday’s concert. Previous recipients of this award include the following jazz legends: Benny Powell, Joe Wilder, Sonny Cohn, Snooky Young, Clark Terry, Cleve Eaton, Frank Wess, Vince Prudente, Hank Jones, Jimmy Heath, Curtis Fuller, John Handy, Jimmy Cobb, Jymie Merrit, Phil Woods, Harold Mabern, Charli Persip, Mickey Roker, Larry Willis, Larry Ridley, Lou Donaldson and Ben Tucker.

This free awards ceremony and concert will begin at 6:00 P.M. at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Ballroom, 233 Lowe Drive, Shepherdstown. For additional information contact the park’s Information Center at 304-535-6029.