Meryl Streep among Kennedy Center honorees

WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) Neil Diamond and actress Meryl Streep are among those who have been chosen to receive the Kennedy Center Honors this year along with some of the biggest names from Broadway, jazz, classical music and Hollywood.

Pictures: Meryl Streep
Pictures: 2010 Kennedy Center honors

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday says singer Barbara Cook, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, saxophonist Sonny Rollins and actress Meryl Streep and singer-songwriter Neil Diamond will also receive the nation's highest honors for defining American culture through the arts.

President Barack Obama will salute the artists at a show Dec. 4. It will be broadcast Dec. 27.

Diamond wrote hits that include "America" and "I'm a Believer." His song "Sweet Caroline" is an anthem at ballparks and bars.

Streep has been nominated for the Academy Award an astonishing 16 times and has won twice, for "Kramer vs. Kramer" in 1980 and for " Sophie's Choice" in 1983. Her last nomination was for playing chef Julia Child in 2010's "Julie and Julia." She is playing Margaret Thatcher in a yet-to-be released biopic of the former British prime minister.

The Grammy-winning Rollins, who will be 81 tomorrow, is considered among the most influential jazz musicians alive. His compositions include jazz standards such as "St. Thomas," "Oleo," "Doxy," and "Airegin."

One of the world's most celebrated cellists, Ma, 55, has won multiple Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Cook, a Tony-winning singer and actress is known for her work on Broadway in such hits as "Candide" and "The Music Man." Even at age 83, she continues to perform as a cabaret and concert singer.