Last week, legendary music artists and members of congress joined together in Washington, DC to pay tribute to the artistic career of the one and only Joni Mitchell as she was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Mitchell is the 13th recipient and 3rd female music artist to receive the esteemed award following Carole King and Gloria Estefan.
The celebration spanned multiple days kicking off on Tuesday, February 28th in The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress with a VIP Honoree dinner including a red-carpet event featuring guests such as Wonder Woman actress, Lynda Carter, singer songwriter Paul Williams, and singer songwriter Sarah Bareilles.
The evening also included a Ceremonial Capitol Flag presentation from Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy and Senator Amy Klobuchar.
14-time Grammy Award winning music artist Herbie Hancock was also featured on stage with Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden and David M. Rubenstein, Chair of the Board of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a panel discussion on Joni’s Career and the Impact of the Library of Congress on American Culture.
Finally, before dinner the audience was treated to a performance from Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles and Lucius (Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe) in the great hall.
On Friday March 1st A tribute concert was held prior to the award presentation at DAR Constitution Hall featuring a red-carpet jam-packed with renowned musical artists such as James Taylor, Cyndi Lauper, Graham Nash, Marcus Mumford, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Herbie Hancock, and Angélique Kidjo.
Marcus Mumford kicked off the evening with an acoustic performance of Carey which was followed by a brief biography of Mitchell’s early life presented by Brandi Carlile.
Annie Lennox took the stage to perform a moving rendition of Both Sides Now which had the audience on its feet before the song had even finished. Congratulatory remarks were also provided via video submission throughout the evening from Billy Joel, Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, Carole King and Smokey Robinson. A full set list can be found at the end of the article.
Towards the end of the evening, members of Congress including, Speaker of The House Kevin McCarthy, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Patty Murray, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Susan M. Collins, and Representative Bryan Steil joined Dr. Carla Hayden and David M. Rubenstein in presenting Mitchell with the 2023 Gershwin Prize.
After receiving her prize, Mitchell surprised the crowd by performing a rendition of Gershwin’s Summertime with Brandi Carlile, Lucius and Celisse to show her appreciation for the award. The evening capped off when Mitchell was accompanied on stage by Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Angélique Kidjo, Celisse, Ledisi, James Taylor, and Graham Nash for a rousing rendition of The Circle Game. A televised recording of the Award Presentation a tribute concert will air on March 31st on PBS stations nationwide.
2023 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Tribute Concert to Joni Mitchell
Carey – Marcus Mumford
Joni’s Biography (early life) – Brandi Carlile
Both Sides Now – Annie Lennox
Congratulatory Remarks (video submission) – Billy Joel
Help Me – Angélique Kidjo
California – James Taylor
Congratulatory Remarks (video submission) – Gloria Estefan
Shine – Brandi Carlile with Lucius (Holly Laessig & Jess Wolfe)
Remarks on Joni’s Environmental Imapct- Ledisi
Big Yellow Taxi – Ledisi, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Brandi Carlile, Celisse, and Lucius (Holly Laessig & Jess Wolfe)
Congratulatory Remarks (video submission) – Garth Brooks
Blue – Cyndi Lauper
Congratulatory Remarks (video submission) – Carole King
A Case of You – Graham Nash
Congratulatory Remarks (video submission) – Smokey Robinson
For The Roses – Diana Krall
River – Herbie Hancock with Ledisi
Award Presentation – Members of Congress
Summertime – Joni Mitchell with Brandi Carlile, Celisse, and Lucius (Holly Laessig & Jess Wolfe)
The Circle Game – Joni Mitchell with Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Angélique Kidjo, Celisse, Ledisi, James Taylor, and Graham Nash.
Story originally written for District Fray Magazine. | Featured March 10, 2023.
2023 Gershwin Prize Award For Popular Song Tribute Concert For Joni Mitchell
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