A Night to Remember:
MELO Honors Harold Jones with the
2026 Enduring Legacy Award
Presented in the spirit of Juneteenth and Black Music Month, the evening served as both a tribute to Jones' remarkable legacy and a reflection on MELO's mission to preserve and celebrate the contributions of supporting musicians whose impact on our collective culture often extends far beyond public recognition. Upon entering the venue, guests were welcomed with MELO's "Musicians' Green Book" traveling exhibit showcasing the history of "The Negro Motorist Green Book."
The evening's musical performances began with event producer and Music Director Ed Vodicka leading his 18-piece orchestra in a performance of "It Might As Well Be Spring," setting a warm and celebratory tone for the evening ahead. Emmy Award-winning "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker then took the stage as emcee, framing the night around its central theme of delayed recognition.
"Some of the most important contributions to American music have come from people who never sought the spotlight," Whitaker told the audience. "People who showed up, did the work, made everyone around them sound better, and then let someone else take the bow."
Before sharing her remarks, Josephine Beavers took the stage for two outstanding vocal performances, showcasing the artistry that has defined her career alongside her role as MELO's founder and CEO. She then offered a personal reflection on the organization's origins, recounting her upbringing in Washington, D.C., where her mother, jazz vocalist Laura Joy, performed alongside legends including Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Beavers described how her family participated in a fraught chapter of American history by opening their home to traveling Black musicians navigating segregation-era America, living, as she put it, "the other side" of the Green Book. Her remarks introduced a special preview of "The Musicians' Green Book: An Enduring Legacy," MELO's PBS documentary and traveling exhibition chronicling the experiences of Black musicians during the Jim Crow era.
Two special tributes followed. Remo Drums honored Jones with a custom drum head, celebrating his decades-long friendship with the late Remo Belli, delivered on behalf of Remo's current CEO and wife, Dr. Ami Belli. Dee Askew, longtime manager of the Count Basie Orchestra, then presented Jones with a commemorative plaque from the Basie estate, recognizing his legendary tenure with the orchestra.
One of the evening's most moving moments came when Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer Paul Winter took the stage. More than 60 years after he and Jones performed together at the first-ever jazz concert held at the White House in 1962, the two musicians shared a room once again. Winter shared memories from their years of touring together before performing "Saudade da Bahia," a poignant tribute to their lifelong friendship.
The evening culminated with the presentation of the 2026 MELO Enduring Legacy Award. In presenting the honor, Beavers reflected on her own experience performing alongside Jones. "Harold doesn't just keep time," she said. "He listens. He responds. He lifts you."
Following his acceptance remarks, Jones invited Beavers back to the stage for a performance of "Good Life," a fitting duet to close out an evening built on their shared love of music. The celebration concluded with the full ensemble performing a rousing rendition of Count Basie's iconic "One O'Clock Jump," bringing the audience to its feet.
Reflecting on the honor, Jones said: "I haven't touched the ground here yet." He added, "I had an out-of-body experience that night. I couldn't tell if, when Josephine walked me out there, I was floating away. It was a really beautiful, beautiful tribute to a person who has literally just shown up to work on time every day and worked."
The event was produced by Jordan/Grand Songbook Music & Media, whose recent productions with MELO include The Musicians' Green Book: An Enduring Legacy (PBS, 2023) and an upcoming documentary on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer Earl Palmer.
Special thanks to DW Drums for providing the drumkit, and to Zildjian for providing cymbals, for the evening's live performances.