At the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., long-stemmed roses are wrapped in a big red ribbon on the stage, and words like “innovative and passionate" are used to honor vocalist Sheila Jordan with the 2008 Mary Lou Williams Award for a Lifetime of Service to Jazz.
Jordan accepts the honor by thanking Kennedy Center artistic advisor Dr. Billy Taylor — “always in my corner then and now" — as well as George Russell, who “put me on record for the first time," and “all the young singers throughout the years, the instrumentalists, my beautiful daughter, and most of all, I want to thank the Bird, Charlie Parker," a great friend and inspiration."
Jordan accepts the honor by thanking Kennedy Center artistic advisor Dr. Billy Taylor — “always in my corner then and now" — as well as George Russell, who “put me on record for the first time," and “all the young singers throughout the years, the instrumentalists, my beautiful daughter, and most of all, I want to thank the Bird, Charlie Parker," a great friend and inspiration."
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