Beverly Hills, CA (GLAMMEDIA) - Songbird Deniece Williams, jazz great Louis Bellson and the legendary Commodores will be awarded 2006 Heroes And
Legends (HAL) Awards for outstanding contributions to the music industry at the 17th Annual HAL Awards. The Star-studded event will be held on Sunday,
September 24, 2006 at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
The 2006 HAL Awards honors a select group of individuals and spotlights positive role models from many diverse backgrounds, including leaders in the fields of music, theatre, motion pictures and business. JoMarie Payton of Disney's The Proud Family will be returning as Mistress of Ceremonies, and presenters will include Malcolm Jamal Warner and Quincy Jones.
The HAL Awards are the brainchild of famed songwriter and Motown Alumna, Janie Bradford. Bradford has written such classic hits as Marvin Gaye's 'Too Busy Thinkin' About My Baby,' Barrett Strong's 'Money. That's What I Want,' and countless others. 'Our goal is to help talented young people in the community realize their lofty -but- attainable dreams of shaping careers for themselves in one of the many performing arts,' explains Bradford. 'We do this by providing much needed scholarship funds. Each year our scholarship honorees are selected from a diverse group of candidates who have earned a consistent grade point average of 2.0 or better and who exhibit an extraordinary amount of talent, drive and determination.'
This year's honorees represent three of the finest examples of dreams realized. Deniece Williams possesses a truly unique vocal instrument that is both sweet and soulful, both effervescent and serene. 'Niecy', as fans affectionately call her, has made her mark in the R&B, pop, gospel, jazz, adult contemporary, and dance fields more than a few times over the last 30-plus years. And deservedly so.
The singer-songwriter-producer's output is consistently meaningful: lyrically, musically, and vocally. Born in Gary, Indiana, Niecy grew up listening to the likes of Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Minnie Riperton, Patti LaBelle, and her own mother. Her flexible upper range is a fine balance of Riperton's ethereal, floating soprano and LaBelle's fiery phrasing; and nuances of McRae's fine diction can also be found. Whether it be the down-to-earth desperation of 1976's perennial "Free," or the inspiring, emotion-wringing spirit of 1984's "Black Butterfly"; or the tell-it-like-it-is narrative of 1996's "Fallen Angel," Niecy's contributions to the world of music are timeless.
Duke Ellington dubbed him "the world's greatest drummer," and Louis Bellson, continues to prove him right. He's a composer, arranger, bandleader, tireless jazz educator, pioneered the use of two bass drums, and in terms of the speed of his hands and feet and the wonderful, percussive "ideas" he conveys on the drums, stands next to only Buddy Rich as the total technician.
Bellson has performed and/or recorded scores of albums (approximately 200) as a leader, co-leader or sideman with such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Woody Herman, Norman Granz' J.A.T.P., Benny Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Hank Jones, Zoot Sims, Sonny Stitt, Milt Jackson, Clark Terry, Louie Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Shelly Manne, Billy Cobham, James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jr., Tony Bennett, Pearl Bailey, Mel Torme, Joe Williams and Wayne Newton.
The Commodores were formed in at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1967 as the Mystics, becoming the Commodores in 1969. All students at the Institute, the original line-up consisted of Lionel Richie, William King, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, and Walter "Clyde" Orange. The group was signed by Motown in 1972, and started out as the opening act for the Jackson 5 on their European tour. It was two years before the Commodores ever started recording, but once they did, they became Motown's best-selling male group of the '70s.
During the rest of the 70's, the Commodores turned out more hit records including: 'Just To Be Close To You,' 'Easy,' 'Brickhouse,' 'Three Times a Lady,' 'Sail On'and' Still'. They performed to sold-out worldwide audiences, becoming the most successful Motown group ever. In 1977, they released a live double album 'Commodores Live!' which hit U.S. No 3.
For more information on The HAL Awards, and to purchase tickets please visit the website: www.halawards.com
