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On April 4th, the Jazz Program dedicated a room at its new site in honor of the renowned saxophonist John Haley "Zoot" Sims. Opening the room dedication ceremony, Dean Joel Lester, Associate Dean Chuck Iwanusa, and Assistant Dean Martin Mueller offered introductory remarks to a room full of jazz supporters and musicians. Prior to a performance by jazz student Dmitry Baevsky, the 1996/97 Zoot Sims Scholarship recipient, and Roger Kellaway, internationally acclaimed pianist/composer, Ira Gitler, Whitney Balliett, and Paul Weinstein, friends of Mr. Sims, shared remembrances of the great saxophonist. The photographs on the left and below right from the Lew Tabackin and Toshiko Akiyoshi Quartet performance at Zoot Sims room dedication. |
| After the dedication, Chuck Iwanusa commented on the importance of such events to the Jazz Program. "The dedication of this room in memory of John Haley "Zoot" Sims is a momentous occasion in the history of the Jazz & Contemporary Music Program. Not only is it a lasting tribute to one of the legendary contributors to the music, but it is also a meaningful recognition of Zoot¹s wife, Mrs. Louise Sims. Through her generosity, the John Haley "Zoot" Sims scholarship was the first scholarship established at the Mannes/New School Jazz Program. It is only fitting that the first dedicated room within the facility be in memory of Zoot." |
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Immediately following the ceremony, guests gathered in the Jazz Performance Space for a performance by the critically acclaimed Lew Tabackin/Toshiko Akiyoshi Quartet. An emotional and riveting concert, the program included several of Zoot and Louise Sims favorite pieces.
For more information about dedicating a room at the Jazz Program, please contact Chuck Iwanusa, Associate Dean of the Jazz Program, at 229-5896 ext. 308.
From left to right; Martin Mueller, Joel Lester, Louise Sims, Dmitry Baevsky and Chuck Iwanusa.
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