Smithsonian Kicks Off Jazz Appreciation Month

  I  

Jazz Appreciation Month kicked off in Washington, D.C., Monday with piano great Ramsey Lewis taking center stage during the festivities.

Lewis called for a renewed commitment for jazz education in the schools as a bridge for ensuring future generations of players and audiences before he made a donation of archival materials from his career to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The items included photographs, publicity materials, news clippings and awards such as his 2007 designation as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

As part of the festivities, the pianist then sat down for a conversation with guitarist Larry Coryell about their careers. John Hasse, curator of American Music at the Smithsonian, and David Baker discussed “Jazz On The Nile,” a recent tour of Egypt by the Smithsonian Jazz Materworks Orchestra. And, harmonica virtuoso Frédéric Yonnet’s trio performed to an enthusiastic audience.

“Jazz is a truly American style of music that has played an important role in our heritage,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the National Museum of American History. “Through the Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month activities, we will highlight jazz and its history and how the genre has an important function in global diplomacy.”

Jazz appreciation Month began in 2001 as the brainchild of Hasse as a way to elevate the image of Jazz to wide audiences in the United States. Since that time, the celebration has blossomed into events in all 50 states and 33 nations around the globe.

More info: smithsonianjazz.org



  • Theo_Croker_by_Bruno_Baretto.jpg

    To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.

  • Kandace_Springs_by_Eli_Sethna_copy.jpg

    “There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”

  • James_Brandon_Lewis_by_Julien_Vonier_lo-res.jpeg

    James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.

  • Hal_Galper_Courtesy_halgalper.com_copy.jpg

    Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.

  • DownBeat_May_8%2C_1975_2.jpg

    Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.

    Chuck Mangione, Rest in Peace

    Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…


On Sale Now
August 2025
Anthony Braxton
Look Inside
Subscribe
Print | Digital | iPad