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The Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE) under the direction of Fred Irby III, presented its fall concert and awards program on Nov. 21, and this year’s event, called “A Tear for Benny,” had an important underlying purpose: honoring saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator , who died in September. 

Golson was a Howard University alumnus and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master. In addition to the concert, the occasion also recognized those receiving the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award and citations, an honor created by Irby in 1996. 

Special guest sitting in with was NEA Jazz Master drummer , who received the 2024  Benny Golson Jazz Master Award and citations were also awarded to Keith Killgo, Steve Novosel, Donald M. Temple, Esq., and the .����

Hayes emphasized the significance of receiving an award in Golson’s honor.

“Benny Golson was a special person in our lives,” said Hayes. “For me, the whole thing was to be here in this environment to receive this award. To have this opportunity at Howard University to meet all of these young people on this level, is something I will never forget.”

Sharing thoughts about Hayes was fellow drummer and composer who is on the faculty at Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute. He is also founder and leader of the group SUPERNOVA. 

Abadey spoke about seeing Hayes perform with jazz greats like Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Oscar Peterson, and Kenny Barron.

“I remember hearing him from when I was in my early teens,” said Abadey, a 2023 Benny Golson Jazz Master Award honoree. “He has been consistent with his ability and talent.”  

Special Citations for Jazz Musicians and Influencers

Receiving one of the special citations was Keith Killgo, drummer, educator, native ��ݮtvian, alumnus of Howard University, and one of the original members of , a group founded by Donald Byrd on the Howard campus. 

Words of praise for Killgo were given by fellow musician, Davey Yarborough, who was also his District of Columbia Public Schools and college classmate. For the past years, Killgo has been on a world tour in celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Blackbyrds. 

“This band room looks the same,” said Killgo to laughter from the audience. “But this is where it grew. This is for .”

Attorney Donald Temple has been on the social justice battlefield since his days as a Howard student. Not only is he a well-respected attorney, he hosts a Thursday evening program on Radio called “Lovethology.”

“The synthesis of law, jazz, justice and what I try to do at WPFW, to be in this space to be honored is priceless,” said Temple. “As a student of the arts and student actor as a part of the Howard Players, to be back in the basement of the fine arts building, this space is special to me.”

Steve Novosel, is a bassist seen always performing around the D.C. area. He was introduced as “Dean of the DMV Basists.”

“Howard University has a special place in my heart,” said Novosel who acknowledged his former wife Roberta Flack, also a Howard alumnus.

Pete Fallico, executive director of Jazz Organ Foundation, emphasized the important work the organization does to empower artists.

“The Jazz Organ Fellowship is about acknowledging organists like Bill Davis, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff and Evelyn Ruth Moseley Lathan, known professionally as ‘Lady Byron,’” said Fallico. 

True Appreciation for Benny Golson

During one of their last conversations, Golson told Irby about viewing a rough cut of a documentary that was in production about his life.

“‘It brought a tear to my eye,’” Irby recounted Golson saying. “‘I was just so happy.’”

Irby reflected on that conversation which led to the theme for the fall concert and a request for a student in the band.

“I thought about what Benny told me, so I asked one of our students, vibraphone and percussionist Sean MacCarthy-Grant, to write a composition for Benny,” said Irby.

The world premiere of  “A Tear for Benny,” performed at the concert was a beautiful piece with an intentional blend of brass harmonies. A standout tenor saxophone presence represented Golson as a steady-going leader.  

“Benny Golson has been at the top of my jazz playlist since I was a kid,” said MacCarthy-Grant, a composer from Seattle, ��ݮtv. 

Entering his last semester at Howard and looking forward to student teaching, McCarthy-Grant said he wanted to capture aspects of HUJE that make the band blend together so well. 

“I knew there was no way I could encapsulate all of his work in this one piece, but what I could do was write something for this band. Benny Golson was all about Howard University.”