D.C.’s Kennedy Center Names 2024 Honorees 

The jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer Arturo Sandovalis is among five artists honored for their lifetime artistic achievements

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced the selection of five artists who will receive the 47th Kennedy Center Honors at the annual national celebration of the arts in Washington, D.C. on December 8, 2024. 

The recipients are the director and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola; American rock band the Grateful Dead (comprising Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir); blues rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Bonnie Raitt; jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer Arturo Sandoval; and The Apollo.

This year’s Honorees were selected based on the recommendation of the Center’s Special Honors Advisory Committee, which is chaired by David Bohnett and includes past Honors recipients and distinguished artists such as Gloria Estefan, Sally Field, Renée Fleming, Herbie Hancock, Judith Jamison, Lionel Richie, and John Williams, among others. 

“The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes artists who have made an extraordinary impact on the cultural life of our nation and continue to have an immeasurable influence on new generations,” stated Kennedy Center’s Chairman David M. Rubenstein in the press release. 

“A brilliant and masterful storyteller with an unrelenting innovative spirit, Francis Ford Coppola’s films have become embedded in the very idea of American culture; a social and cultural phenomenon since 1965, the Grateful Dead’s music has never stopped being a true American original, while inspiring a fan culture like no other;

“Bonnie Raitt has made us love her again and again with her inimitable voice, slide guitar, and endless musical range encompassing blues, R&B, country rock, and folk; ‘an ambassador of both music and humanity,’ Arturo Sandoval transcended literal borders coming from Cuba 30-plus years ago and today continues to bridge cultures with his intoxicating blend of Afro Cuban rhythms and modern jazz; and on its 90th anniversary, The Apollo, one of the most consequential, influential institutions in history, has elevated the voices of Black entertainment in New York City, nationally, and around the world, and launched the careers of legions of artists.”

“Our Honorees this year have each played an invaluable, pioneering role in developing American culture — not with one act of art but with their decades-long devotion to pushing creative boundaries,” added Kennedy Center’s President Deborah F. Rutter. 

“In December, we are thrilled to pay special tribute to New York City’s renowned Apollo Theater on its 90th anniversary,” Rutter continued. “Throughout its history, The Apollo has guided us and the world forward by discovering and nurturing raw talent, molding a unique cultural identity that still defines American culture today. Across Honors weekend, artists with special connections to The Apollo will serve as ambassadors of the institution’s legacy.”  

 “I am deeply honored and thrilled to have been chosen to receive one of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors,” Raitt commented. “I have long been an admirer of the awards and have been so blessed to be able to participate in several shows honoring others. There is no higher level of esteem nor as delightful a celebration and I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who have chosen me to receive this honor. I look forward to the upcoming ceremony and festivities, which I know will be one of my life’s peak experiences.”

“I am profoundly humbled and deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors,” Sandoval said. “This recognition is an extraordinary milestone in my career and a testament to the support and encouragement I have received from my family, friends, colleagues, and fans. Throughout my journey, I have strived to create, perform, and inspire with passion and integrity. Being acknowledged by such an esteemed institution validates my efforts and motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of my art. I am incredibly grateful to the Kennedy Center for this honor, and I look forward to contributing further to the vibrant cultural tapestry that the Center celebrates and nurtures. Thank you once again for this incredible honor.”