[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1286-E1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. LARRY RIDLEY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 2013

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, legendary jazz artist Dr. Larry Ridley will 
be honored this year by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 
(CBCF) at the Jazz Issue Forum and Concert that will take place during 
the 43rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). Dr. Ridley, an 
internationally renowned bassist/composer/bandleader/educator, will 
also perform at the concert, which will take place on Thursday, 
September 19, 2013, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in 
Washington, D.C. Dr. Ridley will receive the 2013

[[Page E1287]]

CBCF ALC Jazz Legacy Award for his contributions to jazz and world 
culture.
  Hugh Wyatt of the New York Daily News described Dr. Ridley as a 
``master bassist'' and a ``musician's musician.'' He has been one of 
the most in-demand bassists of the past six decades, performing with 
over 150 artists including Wes Montgomery, Carmen McRae, Freddie 
Hubbard, Thelonious Monk, David Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Marvin Gaye, 
Tammi Terrell, and Alicia Keys. Ridley has also recorded over 50 
sessions as a sideman. His recordings as a leader include Other Voices 
and Live at Rutgers University (with the Jazz Legacy Ensemble), and Sum 
of the Parts.
  Dr. Ridley served as Chairman, Music Department, Livingston College 
of Rutgers University, 1972-1980; Professor of Music, Rutgers 
University, 1972-1999, and has served as Professor Emeritus at Rutgers, 
beginning in 1999. He has served as Artist-in-Residence at a number of 
colleges, universities and institutions including Southern University, 
College of the Virgin Islands, University of Natal-Durban and the 
Schomburg Center/New York Public Library, where he has been in 
residence since 1993.
  Dr. Ridley's numerous honors and awards include the Mid-Atlantic Arts 
Foundation's Living Legacy Jazz Award (1997), Howard University's Benny 
Golson Award (2001) and the Don Redman Society's Don Redman Heritage 
Award (2011). He has also been inducted into The International 
Association of Jazz Educators Hall of Fame (1998); Down Beat Magazine's 
Jazz Education Hall of Fame (1999) and received the Rutgers University/
Livingston College Legacy Award (2011).
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Larry Ridley is a living jazz treasure and I urge 
all members to join me in commending him for his magnificent 
contributions as an artist and educator.

                          ____________________