April 2002 marked the first observance of “Jazz Appreciation Month,” a celebration of American’s indigenous music established through the sponsorship of the Smithsonian Institution. Intended to draw public attention to jazz—both as an historical and living art form--Jazz Appreciation Month (or JAM) seeks to encourage musicians, concert halls, schools, colleges, museums, libraries, and public broadcasters to offer special programs on jazz every April. In particular, the founders of JAM hope to focus public attention on the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz and its importance to American culture. In addition, JAM is intended to encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz—by studying the music, attending concerts, listening to jazz on radio and recordings, reading books about jazz, and supporting institutional jazz programs. Through JAM, the jazz community promotes efforts to influence the public image of jazz as serious music, as well as demonstrating that jazz can be enjoyable and fun!

The Smithsonian is a natural organization to oversee JAM. A leader in promoting and providing jazz for thirty years, 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 exhibits; 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. The National Museum of American History includes more than 100 oral histories of musicians, composers and others, and 100,000 pages of Ellington's unpublished music, as well as Ella Fitzgerald's famous red dress, Dizzy Gillespie's angled trumpet, and Benny Goodman's clarinet.

Adding support for JAM, on August 18, 2003, President George W. Bush signed Public Law 108-72, legislation that strongly endorsed jazz and urges “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.”

April was selected for JAM as schools are still in session, and further, a number of jazz legends were born in April--Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Johnny Dodds, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Tito Puente, and Herbie Hancock. At a press conference in July 2001, producer-musician Quincy Jones helped announce the first JAM on behalf of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Branford Marsalis helped kick off the first JAM the following spring, along with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the museum’s acclaimed 18-member big band. The first celebration included lectures, educational programs, and an exhibition. Joining the Smithsonian as sponsoring organizations were The Department of State, along with the U.S. Department of Education, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Association for Music Education, the International Association of Jazz Educators, and the Grammy Foundation.

"Jazz is a vital part of America, and as a nation's history museum we want to raise public awareness of jazz as one of America's cultural treasures," said Spencer Crew, director of the National Museum of American History. "We hope JAM will continue to nourish the growing appetite for jazz."

Any organization can participate in Jazz Appreciation Month. To assist teachers, librarians, and others in celebrating JAM, the Museum has published a series of posters and the brochure “How to Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month,” available on the JAM website at www.smithsonianjazz.org. Further, any nonprofit organization can use the JAM logo, available at ftp://160.111.16.40/pub/jam/.

This is just a sample of events around the country. Visit the JAM website for information about more activities. The Smithsonian is tracking JAM events around the country. You can list your event with JAM by sending email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

April 1 – Laurel, MD. The Montpelier Cultural Arts Center (12826 Laurel-Bowie Rd) will pay special tribute to the late pianist, Sir Roland Hanna. Included are bassist, Keter Betts; Drummer, Eddie Locke; Davey Yarborough; vocalist, Michael Hanna (Sir Roland Hanna’s son); and Jeb Patton, Hanna’s protége, on the piano. Concert begins at 8:00 pm. For tickets and more information about this and other jazz performances, call (301) 490–2329.

April 1-3 – Eureka, CA. Redwood Jazz Festival. For more information, call (707) 445-3378.

April 2 – Germantown, MD. The Black Rock Center for the Arts presents The Marcus Roberts Trio at 8 pm. Together with Roland Guerin on bass and Jason Marsalis on drums, Roberts' trio will perform "New Orleans Meets Harlem," paying tribute to Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and other giants of jazz. Visit www.blackrockcenter.org.

April 2 – Nashville. The Nashville Jazz Workshop will host its annual spring event, Jazz at the Workshop. JATW will be a full day of master classes, workshops, and performances for jazz musicians and jazz enthusiasts. Special guest artists will include Donna McElroy, Bobby Militello of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, and Jamey Aebersold. For more information, visit www.nashvillejazz.org.

April 2-3 – Chandler, AZ. Paradise Valley Jazz Party. For more information, call (480) 948-7993.

April 5 – Des Moines, IA. The 30th Annual Iowa Jazz Championships bring together 75 of Iowa's finest high school jazz bands to perform for some of the nation's finest jazz educators. For more information, visit: www.iowajazzchampionships.org.

April 7-9 – University Park, PA. Penn State will host their annual Jazz Festival, including the high school Jazz Band Competition and three participating clinicians: John Fedchock, Chris Vadala, and Jim McNeely. For more information, contact Corey A Wallace at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

April 8-10 – New Orleans. French Quarter Festival will celebrate jazz and blues music. For more information, call (504) 522-5730

April 8-10 – Monterey, CA. Next Generation Jazz Festival will feature Branford Marsalis as artist-in-residence, 35th Annual National High School Jazz Competition, New Big Band Composition Competition, new performance opportunities for middle schools, new all-star “Next Generation Jazz Orchestra,” free concerts, clinics and events for fans. For information, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org

April 8-9 – Chicago. Columbia College Chicago will host the Chicago Regional International Association for Jazz Education Conference. No registration fee for students! For more information on registration and conference events, visit www.iaje.org

April 9 – Purchase, NY. James Moody JAM for Jazz Scholarships! This event will raise funds to establish the James Moody Scholarship for Jazz Studies at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. Performers include James Moody and fellow saxophonists David Brandom, Jimmy Heath, Ralph LaLama, Joe Lovano, Mark Turner, Frank Wess, and Steve Wilson, as well as David Hazeltine (piano), Todd Coolman (bass), and Adam Nussbaum (drums); Jon Faddis (trumpet) is musical director. Event will take place at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College-SUNY, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York at 8 pm. For tickets and information, visit www.artscenter.org/special

April 9 – Iowa City, IA. Jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon will perform at 8 p.m. at Hancher Auditorium on the University of Iowa campus. For more information, visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

April 12 – Aiken, SC. The Center for African-American History, Art & Culture presents Wynton Marsalis in concert at 8 pm at the Etherredge Center at University of South Carolina—Aiken. Visit www.quietstormonline.com

April 13 – Williamstown, MA. The Ingrid Jensen Quartet will feature Ingrid Jensen, trumpet/leader; Geoffrey Keezer, piano; Matt Clohesy, bass; and Jon Wikan, drums at the Clark Art Institute, South Street, 8 pm. For ticket information, call (800) 214-3799.

April 14 – Manhattan. "Highlights in Jazz" presents jazz singers/songwriters Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishberg, and special guests, The Young Hoofers at 8 pm at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. For the Box Office, call (212) 220-1460.

April 14-17 – Pittsburgh. The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, with musical director Dr. David Baker, will perform at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. For tickets, visit www.mcgjazz.org.

April 16 – Fargo, ND-Moorhead, MN. The Jazz Arts Big Band will feature jazz sisters, violinist Sara Caswell and vocalist Rachel Caswell. For tickets call the NDSU Festival Concert Hall at (701) 231-7969.

April 16 – Williamstown, MA. The Charles Lloyd Quartet will perform, featuring Charles Lloyd, saxophone; Geri Allen, piano; Reuben Rogers, bass; and Eric Harland, drums; at Chapin Hall at 8:30 pm. For ticket information, call (800) 214-3799.

April 17 – Chicago. Jazz Unites is producing its 31st annual Duke Ellington Tribute Concert at the Chicago Cultural Center at 4 pm, reception at 3 pm. Andy Bey and Orbert Davis are the featured performers. For more information, visit www.jazzunitesinc.org.

April 22-24 – Port Angeles, WA. Jazz in the Olympics Jazz Festival will feature the Buck Creek Jazz Band, Grand Dominion Jazz Band, High Sierra Jazz Band, Holotradband, Louisiana Joymakers Jazz Band, New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Original Salty Dogs Jazz Band, Paramount Jazz Band, Titanic Jazz Band, and Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band. For information, visit www.jazzolympics.com.

April 22-24 – Middleton, WI. The Capital City Jazz Fest will take place. For more information, call (608) 850-5400.

April 22-24 – Atlanta. The Atlanta Jazz Party will celebrate jazz music all weekend. For more information, please call (423) 821-4461.

April 26 – May 7 – Greensboro, NC. Jazz and Blues festival. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

April 28—Washington, DC (Smithsonian). Preservation Hall Band at Baird Auditorium, 7:30 pm. To purchase tickets, contact (202) 252-0012 or http://www.residentassociates.org.

April 29-30 – Abingdon, VA. The Highlands Jazz Festival. For information, call (800) 435-3440.