<strong>Jersey</strong>Articles<strong>Jazz</strong>What is <strong>Jazz</strong>Appreciation Month?The concept is simple: designate one monthfor an annual public spotlight on jazz. <strong>Jazz</strong>Appreciation Month (or JAM) is intended todraw public attention to <strong>the</strong> glories of jazz asboth an historical and a living treasure. Theidea is to encourage musicians, concert halls,schools, colleges, museums, libraries, and publicbroadcasters to <strong>off</strong>er special programs on jazzevery April.What are <strong>the</strong> purposes of<strong>Jazz</strong> Appreciation Month?To draw greater public attention to <strong>the</strong> extraordinaryheritage and history of jazz and its importance as anAmerican cultural heritage. In addition, JAM isintended to stimulate <strong>the</strong> current jazz scene andencourage people of all ages to participate in jazz —to study <strong>the</strong> music, attend concerts, listen to jazz onradio and recordings, read books about jazz, andsupport institutional jazz programs.Who designated JAM?The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum ofAmerican History led this initiative and has enlisted adistinguished roster of federal agencies anddepartments, non-governmental organizations,foundations, and broadcasting networks. For moreinformation, visit www.smithsonianjazz.org.Why is <strong>the</strong> Smithsonianinitiating <strong>Jazz</strong> AppreciationMonth?The Smithsonian operates <strong>the</strong> world’s mostcomprehensive set of jazz programs — it collects jazzarti<strong>facts</strong>, documents, recordings, and oral histories;curates exhibitions and traveling exhibitions; operatesits own big band, <strong>the</strong> Smithsonian <strong>Jazz</strong> MasterworksOrchestra; publishes books and recordings on jazz;<strong>off</strong>ers fellowships for research in its collections; and<strong>off</strong>ers concerts, educational workshops, masterclasses, lectures, seminars, and symposia. LaunchingJAM is consistent with <strong>the</strong> Smithsonian’s 30-yearrecord of leadership in jazz.April is<strong>Jazz</strong>AppreciationMonth!This information is excerpted,and this poster is available free,from www.smithsonianjazz.org.Has <strong>the</strong> United StatesCongress supportedthis initiative?Yes, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Congress passed legislation whichwas signed by <strong>the</strong> President in August 2003,Public Law 108-72, declaring “(1) <strong>the</strong> SmithsonianInstitution’s National Museum ofAmerican History should be commended forestablishing a <strong>Jazz</strong> Appreciation Month; and (2)musicians, schools, colleges, libraries, concert halls,museums, radio and television stations, and o<strong>the</strong>rorganizations should develop programs to explore,perpetuate, and honor jazz as a national and worldtreasure.”What is <strong>the</strong> Smithsoniandoing to celebrate <strong>Jazz</strong>Appreciation Month?The noted producer-musician Quincy Jones helped <strong>the</strong>Smithsonian’s National Museum of American Historyannounce <strong>the</strong> <strong>Jazz</strong> Appreciation Month initiative, at a<strong>press</strong> conference in July 2001. Branford Marsalishelped kick <strong>off</strong> <strong>the</strong> first JAM, in April 2002. TheSmithsonian <strong>Jazz</strong> Masterworks Orchestra, <strong>the</strong>museum’s acclaimed 18-member big band, performeda weekend of concerts. There were lectures,educational <strong>off</strong>erings, and an exhibition. Also, in honorof <strong>Jazz</strong> Appreciation Month, <strong>the</strong> museum will continueto collaborate with o<strong>the</strong>r national institutions in arange of educational and outreach activities as it hasin <strong>the</strong> past. To assist teachers, librarians, and o<strong>the</strong>rs incelebrating JAM, <strong>the</strong> Museum has published a seriesof posters and <strong>the</strong> brochure How to Celebrate <strong>Jazz</strong>Appreciation Month.Why was April chosen?April was chosen for two reasons. First, Aprilmaximizes JAM’s educational potential because it is<strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> school year when schools can not onlyparticipate, but student jazz ensembles can culminateyear-long preparations and play at <strong>the</strong>ir best.Secondly, April is also <strong>the</strong> birth month of a number ofleading figures in jazz: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald,Bessie Smith, Johnny Dodds, Billie Holiday, CharlesMingus, Lionel Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, ShortyRogers, Tito Puente, and Herbie Hancock. JJYOU CAN HELP SUPPORT SMITHSONIAN JAZZ | Your contribution will go towards preserving and perpetuating jazz as an American national treasure— through collections, exhibitions, performances, recordings, publications, oral histories, and educational programs. Your contribution is fully taxdeductibleto <strong>the</strong> maximum extent of <strong>the</strong> law.Make your check payable to “Smithsonian Institution” and mail it to: Friends of <strong>Jazz</strong>, National Museum of American History, Room 4100, SmithsonianInstitution, Washington, DC 20560-0616. | Thank you for your support!32 April 2007 <strong>Jersey</strong><strong>Jazz</strong>
THE MUSIC IS ALWAYS HOT IN RAHWAYVisit our website to see who’son <strong>the</strong> calendar this week.www.88bistrojazz.comApril 2007 <strong>Jersey</strong><strong>Jazz</strong> 33
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