Kennedy Center Spring Gala
All That Jazz

First Lady Laura Bush joined over 1500 of Washington’s elite at the Kennedy Center’s Spring Gala tribute to Duke Ellington on April 25. Traditionally one of D.C.’s biggest fundraisers, the gala raised a record setting $2.8 million for the Center’s education programs, fueled by its co-chairs, Texas money man Cappy McGarr and Anne Johnson, wife of presidential advisor Clay Johnson. Following dinner on the Roof Terrace, musical stars Liza Minelli, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Regina Carter and Deborah Voight paid homage to the legendary musician, bandleader and composer in a tribute titled “Ellington, Etc.” The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and two dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre also performed.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Gail Percy Rockefeller

Alma Powell and Michael Kaiser	Sen. Bill Frist, Ann Johnson and Laura Bush	Anne Barbier-Mueller

Clay Johnson, Beth and Ronald Dozoretz	Janie and Cappy McGarr

Simon Cooper and Martha Slagle	Jordanian Ambassador Karim Kawar and British Ambassador Sir David Manning

Bennett Weinstock, Amb. Stuart Bernstein and his wife,Wilma	Sen. Tom Daschle and his wife, Linda

Monica and Hermen Greenberg

Photos by Kyle Samperton