Kennedy Center Honors

Performers and Musical Tributes

Bonnie Raitt tributes
• Dave Matthews & Emmylou Harris — performed “Angel from Montgomery” in tribute to Raitt. 
• Sheryl Crow & Brandi Carlile — performed “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” 

Arturo Sandoval tribute
• Chris Botti — performed “Smile” in honor of Sandoval. 
• Trombone Shorty and Chucho Valdés — joined the tribute band. 
• Timo Núñez — performed flamenco dance during the Sandoval segment. 

Apollo Theater segment
• Savion Glover — tap dance performance honoring the Apollo’s legacy. 
• The War and Treaty — performed a Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell medley. 
• Kamasi Washington — performed as part of the Apollo tribute. 
• Raye — sang “Cry Me a River.” 
• Doug E. Fresh — appeared in the Apollo segment. 

National Anthem & opening
• The “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band and J’Nai Bridges performed The Star-Spangled Banner at the start of the ceremony. 

🎭 Other Notable Appearances
• Queen Latifah — served as a host/performer for the opening musical medley. 
• Robert De Niro — surprisingly played piano onstage during the opening musical segment. 

These performances celebrated the 2024 honorees — Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, the Grateful Dead, and The Apollo Theater — each with music or presentations tailored to their careers and influence. 

Source: Wikipedia