from staff
The City of Jacksonville is adding two inductees to the Jacksonville Jazz Hall of Fame: Bunky Green and Bill Chappell Jr.
The Jacksonville Jazz Hall of Fame serves to recognize those who have made significant contributions through music education and enthusiasm for jazz in Jacksonville. The induction ceremony will take place at 4:45 p.m. Friday at the Swingin’ Stage, located at Main and Monroe streets, and is presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
A performer, educator, composer, arranger, lecturer and music education consultant, Green has had 14 albums released in his name including his latest album, “Apex,” released in 2010. Green is the director of jazz studies at the University of North Florida and he continues to tour around the world. He is the permanent chair of the Past Presidents Council of the International Association of Jazz Educators and was inducted into the IAJE Hall of Fame in 1999. Green received a five-star rating from DownBeat magazine for his album “Healing the Pain” and was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame for jazz education in 2003.
Bill Chappel Jr. was a 20-year U.S. Representative from Florida in a district that included parts of Jacksonville. He served as chair of the Defense Appropriation Subcommittee in the U.S. House and was also a Florida House Speaker.
Chappell was instrumental in obtaining crucial early funding for the festival that allowed it to be nationally televised in the 1980s. He was also recognized by festival organizers for his contributions by being named honorary chair each year from 1985 until his death in 1989. In 1987, he was awarded with the festival’s “Silver Trumpet” award in recognition for his critical role in the festival’s success.