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JKC_150406_0250The Apollo Theater celebrated its jazz legacy and the centennial birthday of Billie Holiday by inducting the legendary songstress into the Apollo Walk of Fame on Monday April 6th. A ceremony, speeches, and presentation of a plaque were followed by a reception at the Apollo Theater.

 

 

Cassandra Wilson, Jonelle Procope, Lester Young,Jr.

Cassandra Wilson, Jonelle Procope, Lester Young,Jr.

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The event, presented in collaboration with Absolutely Live Entertainment, included performances by violinist Kersten Stevens and Harlem School of the Arts Choir; photo ops with Apollo president and CEO Jonelle Procope, two time Grammy winner and jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson, son of Jazz great and Billie Holiday’s friend and collaborator Lester Young, Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr. , managing partner of The Bicycle Music Company and representative of the Estate of Billie Holiday Steven Salm, and Legacy Recordings president Adam Block.

Eden Duncan Smith sings 'God Bless the Child'

Eden Duncan Smith sings ‘God Bless the Child’

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The ceremony will also kick off a week of events celebrating the late songstress including the release of Cassandra Wilson’s upcoming Legacy Recordings Coming Forth By Day (April 7th) and a special concert, Cassandra Wilson: A Celebration of Billie Holiday, which will mark Wilson’s first time headlining the Apollo (April 10th).

Photos: JK Clarke  (click on photos to enlarge)