Life Achievement Award, Jazz Foundation of America (March 7, 1997) Key to the City of Memphis, 1991, 1992

International Jazz Critics Polls

National Endowment for the Arts, 1975, 1985

Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Entertainment, Who's Who among Black Americans

Readers' Poll, Abundant Sounds Jazz Weekly (1980)

Tip of the Derby Award, Abundant Sounds Jazz Weekly at Tin Palace, NY (1979, 1980)

Welcome Home Award, Memphis ( September 27, 1981)

New York Jazz Award - New Jazz Audiences (1979)

Beale Street Music Festival Award - Memphis in May Festival (1977)