CENTER FOR JAZZ ARTS PROMOTES NATIONAL JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA April 5, 2007 Los Angeles --- In support of the U.S. Jazz Appreciation Month celebration in April, and as part of its continued promotion of jazz history as an unparalleled tool for the advancement of multi-cultural understanding, the Center for Jazz Arts is participating in a broad, public radio and public television campaign throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. In an interview for CNN Headline News: Local Edition, Center for Jazz Arts president and chairman Guy DeFazio stated “We’re encouraging everyone to participate in and support the jazz events taking place at the various museums, libraries, archives, schools, and performing arts centers in their local communities.” Also emphasizing “the importance of supporting local artists,” as well as “the need for greatly increased funding for arts education,” DeFazio stressed the role of local artists in providing ongoing windows into the cultural identity and shared values of their regions. Since the time of its official launch in April ‘2004, a central goal of the Jazz Appreciation Month celebration has been to serve as an annual means of encouraging a broad range of both local and national institutions to develop their own jazz-heritage programs. By doing so, each participating institution now has the opportunity to begin dedicating a portion of their existing, public programming budgets toward a focused, annual celebration. With each passing year, participating institutions can also, gradually increase or decrease their allotment toward that month’s programs, once they’ve measured the direct response from their constituents. Initial funding for the establishment of Jazz Appreciation Month was provided to the Smithsonian Museum through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, and a Chairman’s Discretionary Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts also, later, provided supplemental funds. The first public announcement of the U.S. celebration came on July 20, 2001, in a national press conference featuring Quincy Jones. The Smithsonian also commissioned the design of an official logo that was introduced at that time; a national marketing firm was hired to create the initial promotional materials; and a dedicated website was launched. In addition to the Smithsonian, the organizations involved in the initial launch and continued promotion of Jazz Appreciation Month in the U.S. include the Library of Congress, the Department of Education, National Public Radio, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Grammy Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Association for Music Education (MENC), the U.S. State Department, the National Park Service, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). Three, initial sponsors during the first year also included BMI, the ASCAP Foundation, and the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation. In ‘2007, the lead sponsor of the U.S. Jazz Appreciation Month celebration is legendary, Los Angeles musician and composer Herb Alpert, and The Herb Alpert Foundation. About the CJA: Established in 2004, the Center for Jazz Arts is an international institution devoted to the study and advancement of American jazz culture throughout the visual, literary, and classical arts, around the world. Through its primary operations in Los Angeles, it is building a prominent new platform of engagement for students, artists, educators, and the broader public, from every generation. For more information contact: Public Relations Center for Jazz Arts (866) 950-5200 info@centerforjazzarts.com [ back to top ]