Legends and Trailblazers Honored at the 47th Kennedy Center Celebration

The 47th Kennedy Center Honors class is set to be celebrated with an evening of tributes, testimonials, and performances on December 8th at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This prestigious event will honor a diverse group of artists, including a legendary filmmaker, a groundbreaking musical act, a jazz trumpeter, a blues icon, and a historic Harlem theater that has launched generations of Black talent.

Honoring the Enduring Influence of Iconic Figures in the Arts

The Grateful Dead: Psychedelic Pioneers and Cultural Phenomenon

The Grateful Dead, a folk-infused quintet that emerged from the psychedelic era of 1960s San Francisco, has steadily evolved into a cultural phenomenon and one of the most successful touring acts of all time. Fueled by the carnival atmosphere of their traveling Deadhead fanbase and an ethos that encouraged tape-trading and emphasized live performance over studio output, the band has spanned multiple generations and remains wildly popular. Even after the passing of lead guitarist and founding member Jerry Garcia in 1995, the band continues to tour almost nonstop in various incarnations, with guitarist John Mayer currently taking Garcia's place in the group known as Dead and Company. Drummer Mickey Hart attributes the music's longevity to the fans' sense of connectedness, community, and joy, which they experience at the band's shows.

Francis Ford Coppola: A Trailblazing Filmmaker's Lifetime of Artistry

At 85 years old, Francis Ford Coppola has established himself as a trailblazing filmmaker, winning five Academy Awards and earning a reputation as a driven artist willing to risk his reputation and finances for his vision. Even after the massive successes of "The Godfather" and its sequel, Coppola drove himself into near bankruptcy while filming the classic "Apocalypse Now." Despite his impressive body of work and the impact he has had on the film industry, Coppola has been eligible for the Kennedy Center Honors for the past 20 years but never received the recognition until now. The director expressed his surprise and delight at being chosen, noting that he had assumed he would never receive the honor. Coppola is thrilled to be recognized alongside his "San Francisco colleagues," the Grateful Dead, at this year's ceremony.

Arturo Sandoval: From Cuban Defector to Jazz Trumpet Virtuoso

Arturo Sandoval, a 74-year-old jazz trumpeter, rose to prominence as a musician in his native Cuba, playing piano and percussion but specializing in the trumpet. His work brought him into contact with jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, who championed his music and personally helped him defect from Cuba while on tour in Europe in 1990. Shortly after his defection, Sandoval performed at his mentor Gillespie's own Kennedy Center Honors induction. Sandoval, who describes himself as "just a little farmer from Cuba," is deeply honored by the recognition, feeling "completely overwhelmed" by the prestigious award.

Bonnie Raitt: A Lifetime of Accolades and a Special Homecoming

Bonnie Raitt, a 74-year-old blues legend, has a long history with the Kennedy Center Honors. Her memories of the event go back to the 1970s, when she accompanied her father, Broadway performer John Raitt, who was taking part in a tribute to composer Richard Rogers. As an adult performer, Raitt has experienced the other side of the Kennedy Center Honors equation, performing as part of tributes to Mavis Staples in 2016 and Buddy Guy in 2012. Raitt, who has received a plethora of music awards, including 13 Grammys and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is thrilled to be recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors, which she considers the "pinnacle" of cultural recognition, encompassing all forms of music, dance, and performance.

The Apollo Theater: A Hallowed Stage for Generations of Black Talent

The Kennedy Center Honors have rarely selected a venue, rather than a performer, as an honoree. However, the Apollo Theater's nine-decade run as an incubator for generations of Black talent has qualified it as an exception. The Harlem landmark has served as a proving ground for Black performers dating back to Billie Holiday, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder, and extending into modern performers like Lauryn Hill. This year, the theater has moved events to a new venue down the street, dubbed The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater, while the original venue undergoes renovation and expansion. The theater's president and CEO, Michelle Ebanks, describes the Apollo as "more than a theater" – it is a "cultural touchstone" that is "rooted in the Harlem community" and has "never stood still" over the decades.