Lonnie Hamilton III to Receive Tip of The Hat Award at Charleston Jazz Gala

Press Release

On October 14th, Charleston Jazz will host the Keepin’ Jazz Alive gala, featuring an exceptional performance by award-winning trumpeter Sean Jones, members of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, and students of the Charleston Jazz Academy. After enjoying an open bar and three–course seated dinner, attendees will participate in a paddle-raise auction with proceeds going directly to support jazz performance and education in our community, including scholarships for students at our very own Charleston Jazz Academy. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the prestigious Tip of the Hat award, honoring local jazz legend, Lonnie Hamilton III (right). The award was established in memory of Charleston Jazz founder Jack McCray and his famous hat.

Charleston-born, Lonnie Hamilton’s legacy began with his grandfather’s gift of a saxophone in high school. He spent summers touring with the renowned Jenkins’ Orphanage Band playing the saxophone before graduating from Burke High School and heading to college at South Carolina State College on a music scholarship. After college, Lonnie worked in music education for over 20 years as Band Director at Bonds-Wilson High School in North Charleston reaching over 3,000 students. He continued to play music throughout his career, including at his own establishment. In 1970, he became the first African American Charleston County Council member, and maintained the position for another 20 years, being elected twice as Chairman of the Council. Today, his name is recognized as iconic inside the jazz community as well as out, for his work to bring opportunity to those who would otherwise be without.

“Music opened a lot of doors for me; but I was able to open doors for a lot of people.” Lonnie Hamilton III.

The gala will feature entertainment by internationally recognized jazz performer and educator, Sean Jones. Jones holds the Richard and Elizabeth Case Chair in Jazz Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute in Baltimore, and is also the artistic director for the National Youth Orchestra Jazz program at Carnegie Hall. For the last two years, he was the President of the Jazz Education Network, a national organization for jazz education. Sean performs regularly with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and SFJAZZ Collective. Mr. Jones has been prominently featured in recordings and performances with many major figures in jazz, including Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson, and Marcus Miller. He was selected by Mr. Miller, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter for their A Tribute to Miles tour in 2011.

The Keepin’ Jazz Alive Gala will begin at 6:30pm at the Harbour Club Westedge on Friday, October 14th, 2022. Dress is festive-cocktail. Tickets can be purchased at CharlestonJazz.com.

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