DCJF Lifetime Achievement Award

Each year, as part of its mission, the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) honors jazz greats for their lifetime contributions to jazz and humanity.

The DCJF Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed, at a concert during the annual festival, to an individual who serves as a model representative for jazz and has dedicated his/her life to jazz as an art form, an education tool, and a unifying force.

The 2011 DCJF Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to two unique jazz legends: brilliant saxophonist Jimmy Heath, and celebrated Puerto Rican pianist, Eddie Palmieri.

Jimmy Heath photo by Andy Colwell

Eddie Palmieri

"We are thrilled to present this year's Lifetime Achievement Award to two distinguished artists in recognition of their indelible contributions to jazz. They have dedicated their lives to jazz as an art form, educational tool and unifying force" said DC Jazz Festival Executive Producer Charles Fishman. "No words could adequately express how much Mr. Heath and Mr. Palmieri have impacted the jazz genre and community."

"At this year's festival, we celebrate two jazz greats who truly represent what this rich and traditional genre is all about," said Michael Sonnenreich, Chairman and CEO of Kikaku America International and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DC Jazz Festival. "Mr. Heath and Mr. Palmieri serve as model ambassadors for jazz music around the world."

Jimmy Heath
The second oldest brother of the legendary Heath Brothers, Mr. Heath has long been recognized as a virtuoso instrumentalist, and magnificent composer/arranger. He has performed on more than 100 recordings with his own groups, as well as with jazz icons such as Dizzy Gillespie™, James Moody, and Miles Davis, to name just a few. Mr. Heath has and written more than 125 compositions, many of which have become jazz standards, The Heath Brothers will perform on Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11 at Bohemian Caverns. A preeminent educator, he directed the jazz program at Queens College in New York for many years.

Eddie Palmieri
A nine-time Grammy Award winner, Eddie Palmieri is renowned for his unique blend of jazz and Latin rhythms. His musical career spans more than 50 years as a groundbreaking pianist, composer/arranger, and leader of celebrated Salsa and Latin jazz orchestras, as well as smaller ensembles. Palmieri, a restless, yet instinctive artist, embraces the future of his music by unapologetically blazing a distinctive musical path. A true powerhouse of brilliance, known for his astute arranging skills and historic compositions, he has also generously mentored countless young musicians throughout his career. Palmieri and his 11-piece All-Star Salsa Orchestra will close the free Jazz on the National Mall extravaganza on Sunday, June 12.

Past DCJF Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients are:

James Moody 2010	Ellis Marsalis 2009	George T. Wein 2008
Buck Hill 2008	Hank Jones 2007	Clark Terry 2007
Dr. Billy Taylor 2006	Dave Brubeck 2005