The American Songbook Association will hold its first annual gala September 17 at 7:30 PM The Pershing Square Signature Center. The Joint Is Jumpin’! – Celebrating America’s Black Songwriters and Singers will feature the work of such artists as Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Fats Waller, Eubie Blake, W.C. Handy, and more. Todd Murray will host with Eugene Gwozdzas music director.

Set to perform are Danny Bacher, Aaron Lee Battle, Natalie Douglas, Maurice Hines, Cady Huffman, N’Kenge, Terri Klausner, Joel A. Martin, Ken Page, Vivian Reed, Kissy Simmons, Stacy Sulivan, and Jon Weber.

The evening will also honor 90-year-old Grammy Award nominee Marilyn Maye with the inaugural ASA Lifetime Achievement Award.

The veteran entertainer began singing at the age of 9 and continues to be one of New York City’s most frequent performers, appearing regularly at Feinstein’s/54 Below. In addition to nightclub acts and albums, Maye is known for her performances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, on which she appeared a record 76 times. The award will be presented to Maye by her longtime friend, fashion designer Bob Mackie.

Maye will also perform a special tribute with music director Ted Firth at the piano.

For tickets, visit AmericanSongbookAssociation.org.