Berklee Legacy Awards Honor Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Joseph Douglass, and Carmen de Lavallade

Berklee Legacy Awards Honor Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Joseph Douglass, and Carmen de Lavallade Berklee recognized four legendary artists with named spaces on its Boston campus.

By

Eugene Ahn

April 30, 2021

Duke Ellington, Berklees first honorary doctorate recipient, performs for guests at the colleges 1971 commencement ceremony.

Berklee presented the inaugural Berklee Legacy Awards, established to recognize extraordinary Black performing artists throughout history, to jazz icons Duke Ellington and Sarah Vaughan; Joseph Douglass, groundbreaking concert violinist and grandson of Frederick Douglass; and legendary dancer, choreographer, and actress Carmen de Lavallade. The Legacy Awards honor outstanding figures who have received an honorary doctorate from Berklee and/or devoted time, wisdom, and mentorship to members of the Berklee community.

Carmen de Lavallade 94H

Berklee dedicated four spaces on its Boston campus to the honorees at a virtual ceremony held on Friday, April 30. The dining hall at 160 Massachusetts Avenue was named the Duke Ellington Caf, memorializing Ellingtons legacy at the campus's central gathering place for students and faculty. Classroom 114 at 150 Massachusetts Avenue was named the Sarah Vaughan Classroom, dedicated to learning and practice sessions, with a street-level view for all members of the community to enjoy special performances. The 8 Fenway entryway was named the Joseph Douglass Lobby to inspire students as they enter the Conservatory. And room 316 at 132 Ipswich Street was named the Carmen de Lavallade Dance Studio, as the central place for dancers to rehearse and perfect their art.

The Berklee Legacy Awards honor important Black artists in history who paved the way for so many others, said Berklee President Roger H. Brown. We are honored to dedicate these spaces in their names, celebrating their artistic legacies and significant impact on the Berklee community, the performing arts, and the world. The enthusiasm from the families of these iconic artists has been enormously gratifying and we so appreciate their support.

Sarah Vaughan 78H

Sean Skeete, chair of the Ensemble Department and Berklee Legacy Award committee, said, The naming of spaces, representing the life and work of legendary Black artists, will have a resounding impact on the lives of our students.

Hosted by Brown and Cathy Young, executive director for Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the ceremony was attended by family members of the honorees. My family and I are extremely appreciative, said Nettie Washington Douglass, granddaughter of Douglass. We are excited to know that more people will have the opportunity to learn of his extraordinary accomplishments. I know his grandfather, Frederick Douglass, who gave him his first violin lesson and whose favorite pastime was listening to him play...is smiling.

Paris Vaughan Courtnall, daughter of Vaughan, said, This award is such an honor! I can see the smile on [my mother's] face knowing that her music is not only being listened to but studied by students of music.

Joseph Douglass

Our family is so honored to be included in these Legacy Awards, and it means so much to both my mother and me that students will think of her when pursuing their dreams, said Leo Holder, son of de Lavallade. Paul Ellington, grandson of Ellington, stated, What a tribute to have Berklee recognize my grandfather, Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington, with their inaugural Legacy Award in one of his most favorite cities, Boston, and places, Berklee.

Moving forward, the Berklee Legacy Awards will continue to honor Black artists who make a difference through their artistic achievements and the contributions of their time and talent to the Berklee community. The Legacy Awards honor artists who share the fundamental values of Berklee, as well as a commitment to social justice and positive community change. All nominations will be reviewed by the Berklee Legacy Award committee, which includes Berklee faculty and students. For more information on the awards, as well as how to submit candidates, please visit the Berklee Legacy Awards webpage.

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