Thelonius Monk Institute 25th Anniversary Celebration to Honor Aretha Franklin, 9/12

As reported by the New York Times, when the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in Washington, DC celebrates its 25th anniversary in September 12, jazz greats will pay homage to Aretha Franklin.

Aretha Franklin's voice remains one of the glories in American music. She has won 18 Grammys; was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987; has performed at two presidential inaugurations; and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 - the nation's highest honor.

She was also recognized as "the greatest singer of the rock era," according to a Rolling Stone poll published in November 2008.

Schedule to perform are Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dianne Reeves, and Broadway veteran Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Read the New York Times article here.