Among this years Kennedy Center Award For Performing Arts winners is a saxophone virtuoso Sonny Rollins.
The awarding ceremony took place on 4th December 2011 at the Kennedy Center in Washington. The star studded tribute to Rollins was led by Christian McBride who conducted 4 songs, “Just In Time”, “In A Sentimental Mood”, “Sonnymoon For Two” and “St. Thomas’’, played by various combinations of 10 musicians described by McBride as ‘’A team’’ constituted of Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Ravi Coltrane, Joe Lovano, Roy Hargrove, Jim Hall, Herbie Hancock, Billy Drummond and Jack DeJohnette.
“It feels great. It’s not so much Sonny Rollins. I think it’s a wonderful thing for our country. We’ve had other jazz people receive this award, but never enough, because jazz is so important to America. And a lot of people don’t realize that. People should realize that, it’s very important, especially in these times, the way the world is going now. America needs to show its beauty. People love jazz. They love jazz all over”, said Sonny.