San Jose Jazz Leads Celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month – April 2008
For Immediate Release
JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH – APRIL 2008 – IN SILICON VALLEY
Smithsonian drives national effort to promote America’s native art form
SAN JOSE, CA. March 18, 2008 – San Jose Jazz today announced programs to celebrate April 2008 as Jazz Appreciation Month in Silicon Valley. Programs include a new concert series in conjunction with City Lights Theater, exhibits at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, a lecture series conducted by world famous jazz personalities, and master classes at the Tait Museum in Los Gatos.
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History has led this initiative and has enlisted a distinguished roster of federal agencies and departments, non-governmental organizations, foundations, and broadcasting networks. The U.S. Congress passed legislation which was signed by the President in August 2003, Public Law 108-72, declaring “(1) the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History should be commended for establishing a Jazz Appreciation Month; and (2) musicians, schools, colleges, libraries, concert halls, museums, radio and television stations, and other organizations should develop programs to explore, perpetuate, and honor jazz as a national and world treasure.â€
The concept is simple: designate one month for an annual public spotlight on jazz. Jazz Appreciation Month (or JAM) is intended to draw public attention to the glories of jazz as both an historical and a living treasure. The purpose of JAM is to draw greater public attention to the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz and its importance as an American cultural heritage. In addition, JAM is intended to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz—to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and support institutional jazz programs. JAM is needed because many people do not fully appreciate the joys, power, and glories of jazz. The celebration this month is an effort by those who are passionate about jazz to share it with those who are not as familiar with it. JAM will encourage people to take jazz more seriously as a vital part of America’s cultural patrimony and as a great gift to the world, as well as to have fun with it. During April, San Jose Jazz, producers of the annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines, presents a jazz workshop, lectures, concerts and a photo exhibit to celebrate Jazz in downtown San Jose.
Photo Exhibit And Lectures at the San Jose Public Library
The works of four jazz photographers, Tom Ehrlich, Peter Maiden, Andy Nozaka, and Walter Wagner, offer an exceptional insight into jazz music and jazz musicians’ life. Exhibit runs from April 1 through April 30. On Tuesdays in April at 7pm, lectures present the world that encompasses jazz: how jazz started, how to listen to jazz, and where jazz is now heading. Featured speakers include:
April 1st: Orrin Keepnews (Record Producer)
April 8th: Richard Scheinin (Writer for the Mercury News)
April 15th: Bob Parlocha (Radio personality and musician)
April 22nd: John Santos (Latin Jazz)
April 29th: Musicians Dave Ellis, Dayna Stephens, Terrence Brewer, and Jonathan Poretz focus on the Future of Jazz
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Second Floor
150 E. San Fernando St.
San José, CA 95112
(408) 808-2000
Opening Hours: Mon.-Thu. 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Fri. and Sat. 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sun. 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Jazz lectures on Tuesdays, at 7pm
Jazz Showcase
A co-production of San Jose Jazz and City Lights Theater Company
Sunday, April 13th at 7pm: Octobop – chart-topping group presents cool West Coast Jazz.
Saturday, April 26th at 8pm: Full Spectrum Jazz Band – great big band music.
Sunday, April 27th at 2pm: Azucar De Amor CD Release with vocalist Kat Parra and special guests – Latin / World Jazz
City Lights Theater
529 South Second Street, San Jose
tickets available at the door and in advance
408-295-4200
www.cltc.org
www.ticketweb.com
Master Jazz Workshop For Youth
San Jose Jazz’s team of Musician/Educators will hold a one-day special Master Class for young aspiring jazz musicians as part of an ongoing program coordinated by the Los Gatos “Jazz on the Plazz†program. San Jose Jazz is renowned for its “Get Jazzed†curriculum for youth in the Bay Area. The program will feature master teachers saxophonist, Kristen Strom and jazz guitarist, Scott Sorkin.
At The Tait Museum, Los Gatos
Saturday, April 19th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
For youth ages 12 yrs. through 18 yrs
$20.00 per student. Limit 12 students. First come, first served basis.
About San Jose Jazz :
San Jose Jazz, producer of the annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, is a public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting jazz through performance and education to enrich the lives of the people in the community. Proceeds from performances help to support the San Jose Jazz education and outreach programs, including an in-school program that reaches thousands of students a year about jazz and innovation. The Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines will be held August 8-10, 2008. For more information on the San Jose Jazz and its programs, visit www.sanjosejazz.org
Media Contact
Geoff Roach
408-288-7557 x2332
geoffr@sanjosejazz.org
Photo Credit: James Knox
