Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

A Brief History of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1988 with legislation authored by State Senators Maxine Horner and Penny Williams. The OJHF is a statewide non-profit 501(c) 3 organization.

The OJHF arts programs are made possible with generous support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, American Airlines, Williams, Downtown Doubletree Hotel, TulsaPeople Magazine, GTR Newspaper, SPIRITBANK, FOX23 News, Clear Channel Broadcasting, Cherokee Casino, Oklahoma Eagle Newspaper, Dallayz Limousine, and other committed sponsors.

Mission and Purpose of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

The mission of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is to inspire creativity and improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans through preservation, education and performance of jazz, our uniquely American art form.

To promote, preserve, and illuminate the true art forms of jazz, blues and gospel music. Also to identify, document and honor the Oklahoma musicians who have made significant contributions locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to its development.
To promote educational learning, training, classes and cultural events with and on behalf of youth of all races, creeds, religions and ethnic heritage, especially those who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
Provide scholarships for graduating seniors.

OKLAHOMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME - 1989 to 2006

We honor and pay tribute to the many Oklahoma musicians and artists who have made significant contributions to the fabric of music and music education in the state of Oklahoma, and all around the world. The Lifetime Achievers and Living Legends are international artists we also honor for their musical excellence, cultural achievement and originality.

Zelia Page Breaux, Honorary - educator
Charlie Christian, Jazz guitarist
Ernie Fields, Sr., Jazz trombonist
Lowell Fulson, Blues
Jay McShann, Jazz & Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Jessie Mae Renfro Sapp, Gospel
Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Jazz fiddler

1990

The Blue Devils, Jazz & Blues,
Al Dennie, Jazz
Clarence Love, Jazz
James Rushing, Jazz & Blues
C. C. Skinner, Gospel

1991

ICON Chesney "Chet" Baker, Jazz guitarist and vocalist
Joey Hobart Crutcher, Gospel Choir Director, pianist
ICON Barney Kessel, Jazz guitarist
Cecil McBee, Jazz Bassist, bandleader, educator
Roy Milton, Jazz

1992

Aaron Bell, Jazz
ICON Ruth Brown (Honorary)
ICON Duke Ellington (Honorary)
Kenneth Kilgore & The Ambassador Concert Choir, Gospel
Joe Liggins, Gospel

1993

Earl Bostic, Jazz
Elmer L. Davis, Sr., Gospel
ICON Dizzy Gillespie (Honorary)
Jimmy Liggins, Jazz
Lee Shaw, Jazz

1994

Hobart Melvin Banks, Sr., Jazz
Thomas A. Dorsey, Gospel original
Verbie "Flash" Terry, Blues guitarist and vocalist
Floyd Richard Wiley, Gospel oganist

1995

ICON Oscar Pettiford, Jazz bassist, first jazz cellist
Johnny Rogers, Blues guitarist
Marshall Royal, Jazz
Mahalia Jackson (Honorary)

1996

Ernie Fields, Jr., Jazz saxophonist, bandleader
Harold Singer, Jazz
Melvin Moore, Jazz
Billy Hunt, Jazz
Walter "Foots" Thomas, Jazz
Jimmy Nolen, Jazz

1997

Don Byas, Jazz
Oscar Estell, Jazz
ICON Ella Fitzgerald (Honorary)
Tony Mathews
Matthew McClarty

1998

Elvin Bishop
Clarence Dixon
Ernestine Dillard, Gospel vocalist
Washington Rucker, Jazz drummer
George Faison (Honoraray non-performing)

1999

Ken Downing, Jazz arranger, bandleader
Maxine Weldon, Blues vocalist
D. C. Minner, Blues guitarist
Patricia Moore, Gospel & Jazz pianist, bandleader
David T. Walker, Jazz guitarist

2000

Lee Wiley, Jazz vocalist
Kay Starr, Jazz vocalist
Ted Taylor, Blues vocalist
Helen Baylor, Gospel vocalist

2001

The Burtons (Charles and Barbara), Jazz ensemble (guitarist & vocalist)
Sonny Gray, Jazz Pianist, bandleader, educator
Wayne Bennett, Blues vocalist
Glenn E. Burleigh, Gospel pianist, arranger, conductor
John Henry (Non Performing Artist)

2002

Willie Earl Clark, Jazz Saxophonist, bandleader, educator
Bishop Carlton Pearson, gospel vocalist, minister
Jesse Ed Davis, Blues guitarist

2003

Leslie Sheffield, Sr., Jazz bandleader
ICON Howard McGhee, jazz trumpeter
Sara Jordan Powell, gospel
Pat Kelly, Jazz guitarist

2004

Tommy Crook, Jazz guitarist
Frank Mantooth, Jazz arranger, keys, bandleader
Louie Spears, Jazz Bassist, educator, bandleader
Maurice Spears, Jazz Trombonist educator, bandleader
Jimmy "Cry Cry" Hawkins, Blues bandleader
Glenn R. Townsend, Blues guitarist

2005

Andrea Baker, Jazz vocalist, educator, bandleader, composer
Steve Wilkerson, Jazz saxophonist, educator, bandleader, composer
Madeline Manning-Mims, gospel vocalist
David Skinner, Blues guitarist, bandleader

2006

Donald Ryan, Jazz Pianist, bandleader, educator, arranger
Lynn Seaton, Jazz Bassist, bandleader, educator
James "Junior" Markham, blues harmonica
Joseph Bias, Gospel vocalist, minister of music
Debbie Campbell, Honorary (Vocalist), composer

2007

Conrad Herwig, jazz trombonist, bandleader, recording artist, music educator
Ace Moreland, Jr., blues guitarist, harmonica, vocalist, recording artist
Ms. Leona Mitchell, international opera and gospel artist

2008

Bill Maxwell, drummer, producer, composer, arranger, jazz artist
Ray D. Rowe, blues vocalist, bandleader, songwriter
Pam Van Dyke Crosby, jazz vocalist, Pres. Tulsa Jazz Society - First-ever, Director's Award 2008

Jay McShann Lifetime Achievement Award

ICON Jay McShann, 1999 - pianist, bandleader
ICON Jon Hendricks, 2000 - "scat" orginator - vocalist
ICON Lou Donaldson, 2001 - saxophonist
ICON Dave Brubeck, 2002 - pianist, songwriter, bandleader - ICON
ICON Marilyn Maye, 2003 - vocalist, bandleader, Broadway performer
ICON Ramsey Lewis, 2004 - pianist, songwriter, arranger, bandleader, jazz radio host
ICON Nat "King" Cole, 2005 - pianist, vocalist, bandleader - ICON
ICON George Duke, 2006 - pianist, arranger, producer, bandleader
ICON Dr. Billy Taylor, 2007, pianist, bandleader, educator, jazz ambassador
ICON Eddie Palmieri, 2008, pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger, producer

Maxine Cissel Horner Spirit of Community Excellence Award

Maxine C. Horner, 2000
Betty Price, 2001
Cassandra Gaines, 2002
Carmelita Skeeter, 2003
Dr. Bonnie Polin, 2004
Ken Levit, 2004
Terri Heritage, 2005
Dr. Dean Van Trease, 2005
Paulette Millichap, 2006
Mable Rice, 2006
Michael P. Johnson, 2007
James O. Goodwin, 2007
Glenda Love, 2008

Living Legend Award

LEGEND Dorothy Donegan, 1994
LEGEND Milt Hinton, 1995
LEGEND Louie Belson, 1998
LEGEND Linda Hopkins, 1999
ICON Patti Page, 2002
LEGEND Taj Mahal, 2003
LEGEND Stanley Jordan, 2004
LEGEND Freddy Cole, 2005
ICON - Rosemary Clooney, 2006
LEGEND, Frank Wess, 2007
LEGEND, Slide Hampton, 2008

Legacy Tribute Award

Bassist, Wayman Tisdale, 2002
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, 2003
Saxophonist, Grady Nichols, 2004
Saxophonist, Eldredge Jackson, 2005
Christopher Wray Quartet, 2006
Harmonious Monk, 2007
Annie Ellicott, 2008

http://www.tulsaworld.com/entertainment/spot/article.aspx?subjectID=272&articleID=20080831_272_H4_Pianis336986 http://www.gtrnews.com/greater-tulsa-reporter/3132/music-is-on-the-fall-menu-in-downtown-tulsa http://www.tulsaworld.com/entertainment/spot/article.aspx?subjectID=272&articleID=20081019_272_D3_EddieP681138

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame 2009 Spring Jazz Concert Series

Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street (Upper Level)
918.281.8600 or visit online: www.okjazz.org
Showtime: 5pm on Sunday afternoons
Get you tickets at the door or call the Jazz Depot at 918.281.8600

"The Joyful Sounds of Jazz and Blues"

APRIL

General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, college students and Jazz Hall members and $5 for students oer 12 years of age. You may also reserve a seat for $20 per person at one of the front tables.

Sunday, April 5 - 5:00pm

OSU Jazz Band all the way from Stillwater, Oklahoma

Easter Sunday, April 12 - No Concert SPECIAL MUSIC EVENT - Thursday, April 16 - 7:30pm

Friends University Jazz Ensemble of Wichita, Kansas

Sunday, April 19 - 5:00pm

Sweeney, Campbell and Glazer

Friday, April 24 - 7:30pm

Book Signing for Jazz Hall Inductee, Washington Rucker His new book "Jazz Road"
Also "live" jazz with Mr. Rucker on drums
Refreshments and beverages
FREE event

Please note that the TU and Eldar Concert is scheduled for 7PM Sunday, April 26 - 7:00pm
TU Jazz Band featuring international SONY BMG Recording Star and 2007 Grammy-nominee for Best Contemporary Jazz Album - jazz pianist ELDAR and his trio from New York City. Unveiling of art donation by Dr. Simon Levit.

MAY

Sunday, May 3 - 5:00pm

Booker T. Washington High School Jazz Ensemble and the Edison High School Screaming Eagles Jazz Band in concert

Sunday, May 10 - 5:00pm

Salsa Rhythm Project

Sunday, May 17 - 5:00pm

Jambalaya Jass Band

Sunday, May 24 - 5:00pm

Chuck Cissel & Friends in concert - a brand new show highlighting the music of Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach.

All Spring Jazz Concert Series performances are held at the Jazz Depot. General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, college students and Jazz Hall members and $5 for students. You may also reserve a seat for $20 per person at one of the front tables.

For tickets or more information, contact the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8600 or online at okjazz.org. Gift shop and concessions are available. All major credit cards are accepted.