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Archive

Teddy Washington

2006 Inductee Teddy Washington was well known not only as a highly-talented trumpet player, vocalist and band leader but also as the author of his autobiography “LIFE THE PUZZLE.” In 1999, Teddy participated in the re-opening of the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum. That same year, he also produced and hosted the first Follies Awards at the Florida Theatre, an awards show where he recognized 23 Jacksonville unsung heroes of jazz and entertainment. Teddy played...

Longineu Parsons

2006 Inductee Longineu Parsons is a musician and composer who is hailed internationally by critics as one of the world’s finest trumpet players. Parsons is a master of trumpet, a composer, a multi-instrumentalist, a singer and a stage performer. Over his career, he has performed in over 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and has shared the stage with the likes of Branford Marsalis and Cab Calloway. Longineu is...

Cecil S. Cole Jr.

2005 Inductee During his 27-year career in orchestra management, Cecil S. Cole Jr. earned the respect and admiration of countless people in the music industry. As Artistic Administrator of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, he played a key role in determining programming and guest artists. He was instrumental in the success of many symphony endeavors, including three grand opera productions, the creation of the Fresh Ink Florida Composers’ Competition, the Jacksonville International Piano Competition, the installation...

Dick Brown

2004 Inductee Dick Brown was first hired by WJCT in 1968 as executive producer for an innovative public affairs TV series. His involvement with the Jacksonville Jazz Festival began in 1981 with a TV program made during the festival. The program was broadcast nationally by PBS, and received a major award from the New York Film and Television Festival. Brown continued as executive producer for the program, which became an annual PBS staple and was...

Vic DiGenti

2004 Inductee In his 36 years with WJCT, Vic DiGenti was responsible for all special events including the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, the Jacksonville Wine Experience, the Jacksonville Spring Music Festival and was the executive producer of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. During his eight years as producer of the festival, he worked with a staff and nearly 1,200 volunteers and added several key elements, such as the Jazz on the Run 5k and the...

The Honorable Elaine Brown

2003 Inductee The Honorable Elaine Brown has worked tirelessly to serve her community for more than 20 years. She has served as Jacksonville City Council President and member as well as on various boards of directors, including I.M. Sulzbacher Center, Jax Pride and March of Dimes. Council President Brown has also volunteered for numerous community causes, including the Jacksonville Oceanside Rotary, the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (JCCI), “Walk America” and as a suicide prevention volunteer....

Marcus Roberts

2003 Inductee Marcus Roberts was first exposed to music in the local church in Jacksonville where his mother was a gospel singer. A few years after losing his eyesight at age five, he began teaching himself to play piano but did not begin any formal lessons until age twelve. As a jazz pianist, Roberts joined Wynton Marsalis’ band, touring and recording with him for six years. Roberts won the Jacksonville Jazz Festival’s first Great American Jazz...

Ira Koger

2000 Inductee Ira Koger believed the quality of a community’s cultural life attracts business, so business leaders should not regard the arts and music as “frills.” He was widely respected as a patron of the arts and devoted himself to cultural developments and events. Koger thrived at a variety of vocations and roles, including election to the South Carolina House of Representatives at age 21, President of O.P. Woodcock Company and Chairman and CEO of...

Rich Matteson

2000 Inductee Rich Matteson was recognized nationally as one of our county’s most exciting jazz soloists and clinicians, with a career which included public school music teacher, professional performer, conductor, arranger, composer, and college professor. Matteson became involved with jazz education in 1968 and performed as clinician and guest soloist at high schools, colleges and universities throughout the world. In 1986, he was appointed the Kroger Distinguished Professor of American Music at the University of...

Dan Kossoff

1999 Inductee Dan Kossoff has produced, directed, written and developed thousands of films, commercials, television programs and special events. He began his media career in 1961 by hosting a campus jazz radio program in Duluth, Minnesota. During college, he toured the Midwest as a guitar/folk singer. He joined WJCT in 1968, specializing in public affairs and documentary production. Kossoff produced and directed the PBS coverage of the Festival from 1981-1984. From that time until 1991 he...