Stars from the world of entertainment and politics attended a reception to honour actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor, musician Paul Simon and actor James Earl Jones in the presence of the US president.

George Bush and his wife Laura were at the Kennedy Center in Washington to recognise contributions made to the performing arts.

Musical actress Chita Rivera and Metropolitan Opera conductor James Levine were also honoured for their achievements.

Guests included Placido Domingo and Frederica von Stade, who performed an operatic tribute to Levine, and R&B singer Alicia Keys who sang Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier spoke of his admiration for Earl Jones, who he worked alongside in the 1977 film Piece of the Action.

Darth Vader

"There are people who come along in life and art who can captivate your attention and hold it - James Earl Jones is one of those people," he said.

Mr Bush toasted the honourees for their contributions to the arts.

"This year we've brought together in one room a legend of Broadway, the conductor of the Met, the composer of Mrs Robinson, the face of Cleopatra and the voice of Darth Vader," he said.

He had earlier hosted a dinner for them at the White House.

"Each one of you is known to the American people in a way that runs deeper than fame.

"People say that the voice of the president is the most easily recognised voice in America.

"Well, I'm not going to make that claim in the presence of James Earl Jones," Mr Bush joked.

The party then moved on to the Kennedy Center for the 25th annual gala event.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who won Oscars for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Butterfield, has spent many years raising awareness and money for Aids charities.

Unsurpassed

Kennedy Center chairman James A Johnson hailed the 70-year-old as "a luminous film actress who for nearly 60 years has been a Hollywood icon treasured by millions throughout the world".

Paul Simon was a late addition to the honours role, replacing former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney who pulled out because of personal commitments.

Sir Paul is expected to be honoured at the 2003 event.

Simon, formerly one half of Simon and Garfunkel, is known for experimenting with different music styles.

Levine, 59, long-time musical director of the Metropolitan Opera and now leader of the Boston Symphony Orchestra was hailed as taking "one of the world's foremost opera companies to unsurpassed artistic excellence".

Two-time Tony Award winner Rivera is best known for creating the role of Anita in Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.