THE THELONIOUS MONK INTERNATIONAL JAZZ COMPETITIONSeptember 11 · The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtsPHOTOS BY PAUL SIMKIN THE EVENT: An all-star concert to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. THE SCENE: After three fi nalists competed on piano (the instrument rotates each year), Tigran Hamasyan of Armenia took home top honors for his emotionally charged performance of Ray Noble's "Cherokee" and Miles Davis' "Solar." Hamasyan beat out audience favorite Gerald Clayton, whose variations of Beethoven's "Pathetique" clearly energized the crowd. Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk Jr., Patti Austin and the legendary Stevie Wonder joined together on stage for sizzling performances of some of jazz's greatest hits. The evening ended with a cocktail reception on the terrace of the Kennedy Center. Wonder later headed to Café Milano where he sang his greatest hits all night. THE GUESTS: Herbie Hancock, Billy Dee Williams, Thelonious Monk, Jr., Alma and Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Quincy Jones, Joe Robert and Phylicia Rashad.
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