Four noted purveyors of jazz were inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame during a ceremony and celebration Monday hosted by the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation in the ballroom of Little Rock's Capital Hotel.
Jazz guitarist Ted Ludwig -- master of the seven-string guitar, recording artist, teacher, product of New Orleans and a Hurricane Katrina survivor -- was the one living inductee at the open-to-the public event. Also inducted was the late Clark Terry of Pine Bluff -- legendary trumpeter, flugelhornist, former Tonight Show band member, composer and educator who played with and mentored a number of jazz greats. Terry died in 2015 at the age of 90. Terry's widow, Gwen Terry, accepted her husband's award.
Posthumous awards also honored jazz legends Junius C. "Junie" Cobb (1896-1970), a Hot Springs-born bandleader who played multiple instruments; and Alex Hill (1906-1937), a North Little Rock-born arranger and jazz pianist. The foundation was unable to locate any living relatives of Cobb and Hill before the ceremony, jazz foundation President James Thomson said, but efforts to do so would be ongoing.
Offering a welcome and remarks was Alita Mantels, foundation secretary. Thomson presented plaques to the inductees.
After the presentations came a jazz performance featuring keyboardist and vocalist Thomas East, Guido Ritchie on trumpet and flugelhorn, Matt Treadway on guitar, Joe Vick on upright bass and Brian Brown on drums. Ludwig, who lends his name to a jazz trio that performs regularly at the Capital Bar and Grill, also demonstrated his musical skills.
High Profile on 06/26/2016