African-Americans who have distinguished themselves in journalism will be hailed on Feb. 1 when the Faces of Black History Month Awards ceremony marks the 10th anniversary of recognizing Blacks in media.
Rewarded as Legends in Media, the honorees for 2012 awards include: Tom Joyner, host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Dean Meminger, NY1 reporter, Gil Noble, former WABC-TV host of “Like It Is,” Miatta Haj Smith, publisher of The New York Beacon, Elinor Tatum, publisher of the New York Amsterdam News and Ann Tripp, news director and radio announcer at Inner City Broadcasting Corporation.
The ceremony will be held at The Plaza Hotel, 770 Fifth Ave. from noon to 3:00 p.m.
Chews Take Motown To Carnegie Hall
Music industry couple Ray and Vivian Chew is now gearing for another one-night presentation at Carnegie Hall.
Following their collaboration with the sold-out gospel extravaganza billed “A Night of Inspiration,” their Chew Entertainment medium is now toiling to repeat the box office status they achieved at the acclaimed music hall in 2010.
This year’s presentation is billed “A Tribute to Motown” and is slated to be held on Feb. 9 at 8:00 p.m.
Reportedly, the program will pay homage to the distinctive soul sound that struck a lasting chord in American popular culture as well as celebrate the famed record label’s 50-year legacy and emergence from Detroit.
Hosted by CNN-TV journalist Soledad O’Brien, the musical presentation will include performances by a host of prominent artists –some of whom were a part of Motown’s golden era, and others whose music reflects the label’s lasting influence.
Featured artists include: Dionne Warwick, recording artist, Martha Reeves, singer and former member of Motown’s Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Boyz II Men, R&B vocal trio, Paul Shaffer, musician and composer and BeBe Winans, gospel singer.
In addition, performers will celebrate Motown founder, Berry Gordy, as well as pay tribute to Nickolas Ashford — of the famed songwriting team Ashford and Simpson — one of the label’s most successful songwriters.
“A lot of people forget that it’s been decades since we had all those great hits,” Ray Chew said, “but they have lasted throughout generations because of the total weight of the artistic measure that they had. These weren’t just songs. They had messages of the time. They had great artists delivering them. A hundred years from now, people will still be listening to Motown.”
Chew, musical director of the evening’s presentation is currently musical director of television reality talent show, “American Idol.”
Revered as a true musical professional and beloved by countless entertainers, the keyboardist has been at the helm of award-winning live and televised musical events. He has performed with a seemingly endless list of genre-crossing artists including Sting, James Taylor, The Four Tops, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson, Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones, among others.
In addition to co-helming their company, his wife Vivian also heads TimeZone International. She is a former record company executive at Polygram and SONY Records where she signed reggae super group Third World, Shabba Ranks, George Clinton, Sister Souljah, Leotis Clyburn and others.
Catch You On The Inside!
