[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 107 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      KETER BETTS IS SEVENTY-FIVE

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2003

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, hard work, persistence, and passion are all 
trademarks of a great musician. Noted as one of the most accomplished 
bassists of our time, Keter Betts stands among the rare musicians who 
exude a very special aura. A native of Port Chester, New York, Betts 
possessed the drive and passion for music at an early age. Betts 
credits a local parade event as a major spark in his love for jazz 
music. After that event, Keter was certain that the drum would be his 
lifelong musical companion. Although Keter worked hard and mastered 
drumming, after a while, Betts grew tired of carrying his drums up many 
flights of stairs and found that the bass would serve as a more 
comparable instrument. He did not know that this decision would many 
years later bring him to the forefront of jazz music.
  Keter Betts established himself in jazz music as an exemplar of 
excellence in musicianship. His extraordinary career spanning six 
decades, numerous recordings, and musical genius all stand as a 
monument to his contribution to jazz. Mr. Betts' professional career 
began in Washington DC, working with New York native and tenor 
saxophonist Carmen Leggio. Just fresh out of high school, Keter played 
his first gig with Leggio at the age of 19. This thirteen week gig in 
the heart of Washington, DC would set the stage for Betts to travel the 
world impressing listeners and musical scholars alike with his command 
of the acoustic bass.
  Keter has performed with Jazz icons including Duke Ellington, Dinah 
Washington, Earl Bostic, Woody Herman, Cannonball Adderly, Charlie 
Byrd, and an impressive twenty four year career with the legendary Ella 
Fitzgerald. Keter's melodic thumping bass lines can be heard on many of 
her recordings. In addition, Mr. Betts has time and time again enhanced 
the musical recordings of numerous Jazz artists and has been a 
performer on over one hundred recordings including those of Count 
Basie, Tommy Flanagan, Sam Jones, and Kenny Burrell, among several 
others. Moreover, Mr. Betts also recorded a solo CD on his own label 
entitled Bass, Buddies, and Blues (1998).
  He and his wife Mildred made Washington DC their home as newlyweds in 
1953. Here they raised a family of five children. Throughout the years, 
Keter has committed himself to contributing to the greater Washington, 
DC metropolitan area. Within the academic community, Keter has worked 
with the Washington Performing Arts Society's Concerts in Schools 
Program, the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and the 
HeadStart program. In addition, Keter spends time imparting to future 
Jazz legends by serving as a music lecturer at Howard University.
  Keter Betts' numerous commendations for his excellence in jazz 
further demonstrate his positive relationship with the Washington, DC 
community. Keter has been inducted into the Washington Area Music 
Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Betts has also been honored with the 
Linowes Leadership Award from the Community Foundation for the National 
Capital Region, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Living Legacy Jazz 
Award and most recently he was selected to receive the Mid-Atlantic 
Arts Foundation's 2003 Living Legacy Jazz Award.
  Keter has shared his musical gift with international audiences and 
has performed on stages in South America, Europe, the Middle East and 
numerous stages across the United States. Through his musical genius, 
has and continues to captivate, motivate, and inspire current and 
future generations. We are glad that his family and friends are sharing 
this special day with him and we pause to remember his loving wife who 
passed away in 2000. On this day of celebration, we commemorate the 
contributions of Keter Betts and wish him all of the best on his 75th 
birthday.

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