Jazz Appreciation Month Brings a Zing to April

The National Museum of American History celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) in April each year, drawing public attention to jazz as both a historic treasure and a living art form. JAM’s goal is to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz, from study of the music to attending concerts.
 

This year, the jazz spotlight falls on the playful scatting and graceful song stylings of Ella Fitzgerald, known as the “First Lady of Song.” She was the most popular woman jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. She won thirteen Grammy awards and sold more than 40 million albums. The Smithsonian has printed 250,000 copies of the official 2008 JAM posters, which feature Fitzgerald as illustrated by American artist Jeffrey Fulvmari. The poster is included in the April 2008 issue of Teaching Music, or copies can be ordered by contacting jazz@si.edu.
 

Visit the JAM Web site to find JAM information, including jazz history, suggestions on how to celebrate jazz appreciation month, and ways musicians can join teachers in the classroom.

MENC is one of several JAM partners. Others include: the International Association for Jazz Education, BMI, National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting System, Americans for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
 

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History led the initiative to create Jazz Appreciation Month. April was chosen for JAM because school jazz ensembles can culminate year-long preparations and play at their best. April is also the birth month of a number of leading figures in jazz, including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Johnny Dodds, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Tito Puente, and Herbie Hancock.
 

--Roz Fehr, April 4, 2008, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education