Board members of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame gathered to announce their inductees for 2015.
The Hall of Fame is in its fourth year, and every spring it recognizes a handful of musical greats with a Rochester connection. This year, five inductees were chosen and their musical legacies shared.
- Ron Carter is an American jazz double bassist, and one of the most recorded bassists in jazz history. The Michigan native studied at Eastman School of Music, where he played with the Eastman Philharmonia. He will perform one of his original works on the Kodak Hall stage.
- Henry Juskiewicz is the current chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar Group. The Rochester native is credited with saving the 121-year-old company. In tribute, a Gibson All-Star Band is being assembled with guitarists from around the world, including Chris Daughtry.
- Gap Mangione is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and band leader. He was born and raised in Rochester, and preformed from a young age with his brother Chuck who was inducted in 2012. Gap Mangione and His New Big Band will perform, along with guest artists (TBA).
- William Warfield (d. 2002) was an internationally acclaimed bass baritone. He performed on stage and in concert, as well as in television and film. His song "Ol Man River" was featured in the 1951 film Show Boat. Warfield was raised in Rochester and studied at the Eastman School of Music. His nephew, Thomas Warfield, will perform an interpretive dance, and "Ol Man River" will be performed in his honor at the ceremony.
- Wilmer & the Dukes were considered one of the top party bands of Upstate New York in their time, with their hit single "Give Me One More Change" reaching top 40 in states up and down the East Coast. Three surviving members of the group will be in attendance, including Wilmer Alexander himself.
The official induction ceremony will be on April 26, 2015.
