Joe Kennedy, Jr.

2003 Honoree

When Joe Kennedy, Jr.'s grandfather, Saunders C. Bennett, Sr., introduced him to the violin in McDonald, Pennsylvania, in the early 1930s, the experience changed his life. Touted "the cleanest violin we've ever heard" by DownBeat magazine in 1949, Mr. Kennedy is now a world-renowned violinist, educator, composer and arranger.

During World War II, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native performed with the Camp Lee Symphony Orchestra in Petersburg, Virginia. After the war, Mr. Kennedy cut his Jazz teeth as a member of the Four Strings. The group's debut album was entitled Trends and received a highly favorable review in DownBeat magazine.

Mr. Kennedy received a bachelor's degree from Virginia State College (now University) and earned a master's degree from Duquesne University. He served the Richmond Public Schools System (Virginia) for 32 years as instrumental music specialist, supervisor of music and supervisor of secondary arts and humanities.

Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Thomas Bridge became the first African-American members of the Richmond Symphony. Mr. Kennedy was the symphony's resident violinist from 1963 until 1981.

Many of Virginia's college students have benefitted from Mr. Kennedy's talent and expertise. He was the director of band at Virginia Union University and served as an adjunct faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1984, Mr. Kennedy was selected as director of jazz studies at Virginia Tech and retired as professor emeritus from the university in 1995.

Mr. Kennedy has arranged, recorded and traveled abroad with many musical greats and performed at numerous concerts and festivals throughout the United States and Europe. Compositions like "Be Sure," "Tempo," "Surreal," and "Opticas," have received critical acclaim, and "Sketches for Solo Violin, Jazz Trio and Symphony Orchestra" has been performed by orchestras in Georgia, Delaware and New York.

In 1999, Mr. Kennedy received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Theresa Pollak Prizes For Excellence In the Arts. In addition, he was honored with the 2001 Living Legacy Jazz Award from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and a commendation from the 2002 Virginia General Assembly.

The husband and father of two imparts the key to success: "Pursue education and with hard work, your dreams will lead to success."