Aretha Franklin to Be Honored by Thelonious Monk Institute

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz will celebrate their 25th anniversary next month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., reports The New York Times. The event, which will pay tribute to the life and musical career of legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, will also honor soul singer Aretha Franklin.

Chairman and CEO of BET, Debra Lee, will be one of four people to chair the gala. She will be joined by former secretaries of state Madeleine K. Albright and Colin L. Powell and legendary musician and producer Quincy Jones.

The concert takes place Sept. 12.

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