Umbrellas danced overhead and white hankies twirled in the air as Moores School of Music luncheon chair Eleanor Connan and emcee Deborah Duncan led the 300 guests from the reception area to the ballroom at Houston Country Club for the "All That Jazz" brunch. The move developed into a conga line as When the Saints Go Marching In blared through the luncheon scene.
In another twist on fundraising luncheon tradition, honorees were presented between courses. Lilly Andress was recognized as Outstanding Leader in Community Service, Catherine Anspon as Outstanding Leader in the Arts, Marie Bosarge as Outstanding Leader in Philanthropy and Sally and Norman Reynolds as Immanuel and Helen Olshan Award recipients.
Abbey Simon, pianist and retired Cullen Distinguished Professor at the University of Houston Moores School, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor was presented by Moores School director David Ashley White.
Luncheon entertainment appropriately featured students from the music school — a saxophone quartet and a jazz quartet. The highlight was Duncan's performance of the Etta James hit "At Last."
The party crowd included luncheon co-chairs Marie LeNotre and Jeanne Sims, honorary chairs Diane Gendel and Phyllis Williams and Moores Society president Kathi Rovere, Beth Madison, Donna Vallone, Barbara Van Postman, Katina and Monty McDannald and Connie Reeves Cooke.
