2001 Public Service Award

2001 Eisenhower Distinguished Public Service Award

At this year's Awards Dinner, the Eisenhower Institute presented the legendary saxophonist, the late Grover Washington, Jr., with the Eisenhower Public Service Award, posthumously.

Grover began playing music when he was only ten years old. When he was sixteen, he graduated early from high school and left his home in Buffalo, New York to tour with the jazz group, Four Clefs. In the mid-1960s, after his military service, he began to make a name for himself in clubs around Philadelphia and New York. His first album, Inner City Blues, was released in 1971.

Grover developed a sound that was all his own. He was one of the first musicians to bridge the gap between funk, blues, jazz and pop. Described as "one of the true pioneers of contemporary jazz," he paved the way for what has become smooth jazz today. His most acclaimed album was Winelight, which went Platinum in 1981, and which also won two Grammy Awards: one for "Best Jazz Fusion Album, Vocal or Instrumental" and another for "Best R&B Song" for "Just the Two of Us"-which Washington performed with Bill Withers as vocal.

The dedication Grover showed to public service was embodied by his participation in the 1986 Chautauqua Institution-Eisenhower Institute trip to Latvia, when leading American and Soviet artists tempered a weeklong Cold War debate by performing together in concert. His long-term projects such as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences "Grammy in the Schools" program won him the respect he richly deserved as a music educator for young people. On hearing of Grover's death, one of his contemporaries said that Grover had been an inspiration for many years, not only for his contribution to jazz and for the way he played his sax, but also for the way he lived.

With the Eisenhower Public Service Award, the Institute recognized Grover for his dedication to public service, for his philanthropic spirit, and for his music's indelible legacy. He entertained and inspired his fellow countrymen; but just as important, he brought the best of America into the homes of a Soviet Union on the verge of historic and uncertain change.

Grover's widow, Christine, was present to accept the award on his behalf, and following her acceptance, the audience was treated to a short video on Grover, followed by a rousing performance by the Grover Washington, Jr. reunion band, which reunited to honor their friend by playing some of his best-loved songs. For more on the evening's entertainment, follow the links below.

The Grover Washington, Jr. Reunion Band

Grover Washington, Jr. handpicked his musicians on the basis of both talent and temperament-everyone was a team player. The band recorded and toured with Mr. Washington in musical settings ranging from pop to jazz to gospel, as well as for education programs and seminars.Tonight's reunion band features seven outstanding musicians in their own right who have come together to perform and remember their friend, "Mr. Magic."

Former Music Director and keyboard player, Donald Robinson, toured with Grover for ten years. He produced, wrote or co-wrote many selections on Grover's last five recordings, as well as producing recordings for other renowned artists such as Vanessa Williams and Rachelle Ferrell, to name two. He is currently composing new music for future releases worldwide.

Saxophonist, Chris Farr, plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophone, and the Electronic Wind Instrument. In addition to playing with Grover, Chris has toured and recorded with many groups, including The Maynard Ferguson Big Band. He also has two CD recordings with the group, Common Ground.

Pablo Batista, on congas and percussion, toured and recorded with Grover for many years. He is a solo artist with his own band, whose most recent recording is entitled, Ancestral Call. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as with many other music groups.

Guitarist, Randy Bowland, has toured with many groups, including Gerald Lavert, The O'Jays, Regina Belle and the band that Grover discovered and produced, Pieces of a Dream. He has appeared on hundreds of recordings, including the two teen sensations, The Back Street Boys and Brittany Spears. He is currently working on his own recording.

Drummer, Harry "Butch" Reed, is a versatile performer who performed with Grover in many different musical settings, including the "Music in the Schools" and the "Harmon: How to Listen" master class programs.

Pianist, Will Brock, is a graduate of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He teaches music theory, piano and is a vocal coach. He worked and played with Grover during his tenure as Artist in Residence at the University of the Arts. He is the leader of his own band and is co-founder of a music production company, Ghetto Factory Productions.

Bassist, composer and producer, Gerald Veasley, performed and recorded with Grover for over ten years. He has five recordings of his own on the Heads Up label, his most recent entitled, "On The Fast Track," which is set for release this coming June. Grover had, in turn, contributed his own performances to the first four of Gerald's albums. Gerald is the leader of his own groups, The Gerald Veasley Band and The Electric Mingus Project.

Top, from left: Paul Silverthorn (Treasurer, Protect the Dream Foundation), Harry "Butch" Reed (drums), Donald Robinson (keyboards), Tony Grandberry (Executive Director, Protect the Dream Foundation), Shana Washington (daughter of Grover Washington, Jr.), Christine Washington (wife of Grover Washington, Jr. and President, Protect the Dream Foundation), Randy Bowland (Guitar), and Gerald Veasley (Bass), Bottom:Will Brock (Keyboards), Pablo Batista (congas and percussion), and Chris Farr (Sax).

Playbill

Moonstreams-This beautiful ballad was written by Grover for Christine, and is featured on the 1975 Kudu recording, Feels So Good. In 1998, the rap group DMX used a portion of this song in their recording of "Slippin," which went on to sell over 10 million copies.

Make Me a Memory (Sad Samba)-From the 1980 Winelight album, this song was originally written as a composition assignment when Grover was attending Temple University. He got an A- for the tune; the album won a Grammy and sold over 2 million copies, which at that time was the highest-selling album in jazz history.

Mr. Magic-Written by Ralph MacDonald and William Salter, this 1974 title track comes from one of Grover's best-loved albums. It became his life-long signature tune.

Let it Flow-Grover wrote this and dedicated it to his good friend and basketball star, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, after viewing Erving's "behind the basket, reverse scoop lay-up" in the 1981 NBA Finals between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Just the Two of Us-Awarded the 1980 Grammy for "Best R&B Song," this tune was first recorded and released on Grover's standout album, Winelight, with Bill Withers doing the vocals.

Those Who've Made It Possible

Christine Washington was Grover's partner in life and in business. She and Grover were married in 1967 and founded G.W. Jr. Music, Inc. in 1974. Mrs. Washington was the driving force behind Grover's success and G.W. Jr. Music, Inc. Their experiences together took them around the world, and their accomplishments took jazz to new heights internationally.

Paul Silverthorn was personal manager of Mr. Washington from 1996 onwards, but his working relationship with G.W. Jr. Music, Inc. had evolved over a twenty-year span of activity, involving hundreds of concerts, bookings, recordings, music publishing opportunities, special projects and more. He is currently representing G.W. Jr. Music, Inc. and is Treasurer of the Protect the Dream Foundation.

Tony Grandberry is the Executive Director of the Protect the Dream Foundation. Mr. Grandberry, who was also Grover's cousin, has been able to draw on his educational and professional experiences to successfully lay the groundwork for this new organization, and to further the legacy of Grover Washington, Jr.

Our gratitude also goes to Mr. Michael Bolanos, founder of Entertainment Drive and The Starclubs Network, for serving as an executive production advisor for the evening's performance. In 1986, Mr. Bolanos was the American Artistic Coordinator for the Chautauqua Institution-Eisenhower Institute's trip to Latvia.

The Institute also thanks Ms. Sandy Cannon-Brown of VideoTakes, Inc. for writing and co-producing with The Eisenhower Institute this evening's video presentation of Grover Washington, Jr.

Grover passed away in 1999, but the Grover Washington, Jr. Protect the Dream Foundation seeks to carry forward his legacy by enriching the lives of young people through music education. In pursuit of this goal, the Foundation aims to foster and enrich musical interests and skills of young people by providing funding to public and non-profit institutions that are devoted to providing music education.

For more information on the Grover Washington, Jr. Protect the Dream Foundation, visit their website: http://www.protectthedream.com/.