On March 12, the Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE) awarded Westminster’s Jazz Night program the 2015 Benny Golson Award for its outstanding, long-time service to jazz.
First conferred on jazz master Benny Golson in 1996 to honor his legacy, this award has been previously given to Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Donald Byrd, Keter Betts, Yusef Lateef, Jimmy Heath, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, and Buck Hill, among others. HUJE Director Dr. Fred Irby conferred the award on Mr. Dick Smith and Revs. Ruth and Brian Hamilton at their spring concert in Rankin Chapel at Howard University.
Now in its 17th year, Westminster’s Jazz Night program presents weekly jazz performances before hundreds of jazz enthusiasts as well as outreach activities and the popular bi-monthly Thinking About Jazz program. Jazz Night happens every Friday evening at 6 p.m. at Westminster Church (400 I St. SW).