Jazz Appreciation Month 2013!

April is a very special month, as it marks the dual celebration of Jazz and Poetry! These two art forms go hand -in-hand and are worthy of exaltation!

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 Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History led this initiative and enlisted a distinguished roster of federal agencies and departments, non-governmental organizations, foundations, jazz artists, and broadcasting networks to make it a reality! The very first JAM celebration took place in 2002 and it has been going strong ever since! For more information, visit www.smithsonianjazz.org.

The April celebration for jazz has expanded into a worldwide party!In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. This is a global jazz party and we will encourage you to participate, but in the meantime, go to www.jazzday.com to learn all about the 2013 festivities!

The Academy of American Poets created National Poetry Month in 1996 to build awareness of the rich heritage of poets, poems and their impact on our culture. I believe that we all house an inner poet!!

Be sure to tune into The Jazz Spot every Friday at 8 PM to celebrate these great art forms throughout the month!

Please share your favorites with me at jazz@gpb.org or via Twitter @masanijazz or on Facebook...The Jazz Spot on GPB Radio.

Please remain inspired by Jazz music & culture, EVERYDAY!!

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