Tag Archives: Honorary Doctorate of Music

Ahmad Jamal

On April 16, 2023, Ahmad Jamal died aged 92. He was musician (piano), composer, bandleader, and educator, one of the most successful small-group leaders and one of the most important artists in jazz history. For his work Jamal received many awards including:

  • 1959: Entertainment Award, Pittsburgh Junior Chamber of Commerce
  • 1980: Distinguished Service Award, City of Washington D.C., Anacostia Neighborhood Museum
  • 1986: Mellon Jazz Festival Salutes Ahmad Jamal, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • 1987: Honorary Membership, Philippines Jazz Foundation
  • 1994: American Jazz Masters award, National Endowment for the Arts
  • 2001: Arts & Culture Recognition Award, National Coalition of 100 Black Women
  • 2001: Kelly-Strayhorn Gallery of Stars, for Achievements as Pianist and Composer, East Liberty Quarter Chamber of Commerce
  • 2003: American Jazz Hall of Fame, New Jersey Jazz Society
  • 2003: Gold Medallion, Steinway & Sons 150 Years Celebration
  • 2007: Living Jazz Legend, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • 2007: Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, French government
  • 2011: Down Beat Hall of Fame, 76th Readers Poll
  • 2015: Honorary Doctorate of Music, The New England Conservatory
  • 2017: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, The Recording Academy
  • 2018: Leopolis Jazz Music Awards Leopolis Jazz Fest, Lviv

As leader, Jamal released 69 albums.

Al Jarreau

On February 12, 2017, Alwin Lopez “Al” Jarreau died aged 76. He was musician (percussion) and singer, with successful solo career, has recorded and performed with many famous musicians and bands including: Joe Sample, Chick Corea, Kathleen Battle, Miles Davis, David Sanborn Rick Braun, George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Sister Sledge, Bob James, Shakatak, Lee Ritenour, Benny Golson and Quincy Jones. In 1991 Jarreau was awarded the “Honorary Doctorate of Music” by “Berklee College of Music”; in 2001 he was inducted in the “Hollywood Walk of Fame”; in 2004 he was awarded “Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts” by “University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee”, and in 2012 he was inducted in the “SoulMusic Hall of Fame at SoulMusic.com”. Jarreau won seven “Grammy Awards”.