CELEBRATING ARTS

Carroll V. Dashiell Jr. honored by North Carolina governor during Black History Month

East Carolina University’s Carroll V. Dashiell Jr. was one of 50 African-American musicians, writers and artists honored on Feb. 14 by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper in celebration of Black History Month.

Carroll V. Dashiell Jr., right, stands with the late Dr. Billy Taylor. Dashiell founded and directs ECU’s Billy Taylor Jazz Festival. (Contributed photo)

Dashiell is associate professor of music at ECU, where he teaches string and electric bass and jazz in the School of Music. He is director of the award-winning ECU Jazz Ensemble A and founder and director of ECU’s Billy Taylor Jazz Festival. He is a recipient of ECU’s Robert and Lina Mays and Robert L. Jones Distinguished Alumni Teaching Excellence Award.

Dashiell has performed with the Boston Pops, the National Symphony, the Washington Philharmonic Orchestra, Billy Taylor, and Ethel Ennis and the Fifth Dimension, and he has toured with Maurice Hines, Stephanie Mills, Maceo Parker, Ray Charles, Vanessa Rubin and Jennifer Holiday.

Cooper has proclaimed February as Black History Month in North Carolina.

“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the deep contributions made by African Americans to the life and culture of our state and our nation,” Cooper said. “This year, we will recognize African American artists, musicians and writers with ties to North Carolina whose work has enriched our lives and expanded our understanding.”

A reception was held in the Executive Mansion, hosted by the N.C. African American Heritage Commission and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Attendees included Susi H. Hamilton, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, chair of the N.C. African American Heritage Commission; and Tracey Burns, assistant secretary for diversity and cultural inclusion in the DNCR.

For the full list of honorees, click here.