April is Jazz Appreciation Month

Did you know that April is officially Jazz Appreciation Month, as declared by no less an authority than The Smithsonian Institution?

Neither did I, but thanks to some nameless-yet-thoughtful government employee who sent me an email addressed to "Dear Friend of Jazz," I've learned that "Jazz Appreciation Month (or JAM), a cultural initiative led by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, is intended to draw public attention to the glories of jazz as both an historical and a living treasure. The idea is to encourage musicians, concert halls, schools, colleges, museums, libraries, and public broadcasters to offer special programs on jazz every April."

The Smithsonian got involved in jazz back in the early 1970s, when the multi-LP set The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz became an unexpected best-seller. These days, "The Smithsonian operates the world’s most comprehensive set of jazz programs–it collects jazz artifacts, documents, recordings, and oral histories; curates exhibitions and traveling exhibitions; operates its own big band, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra; publishes books and recordings on jazz; offers fellowships for research in its collections; and offers concerts, educational workshops, master classes, lectures, seminars, and symposia. Launching JAM is consistent with the Smithsonian’s 30-year record of leadership in jazz."

So far, I'm not aware of any specific plans by St. Louis institutions to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, but if any are announced, StLJN will have word for you right here. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian Web site has more information on local jazz societies and events in other parts of the country, as well as more information on JAM as well as some other jazz resources. There's also a poster (pictured), featuring an image of Louis Armstrong by artist LeRoy Neiman, available for download as a .pdf file.