Jazz Is Alive and Will Never Die

Jazz is alive, and will never die.

Jazz is a unique American art form that affirms the noblest aspirations of our nation – individualism, discipline, perseverance, innovation…

As jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker said, “Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.”

Jazz has produced some of America’s leading artists and ranks as one of our greatest exports to the world.

With its’ international popularity, jazz music has become a universal language that brings people of all races, ages and backgrounds together.

I am one of those people.

As President of the US Conference of Mayors, and Mayor of my hometown, I am in a position to promote and expand the reach of jazz music in our cities, schools and neighborhoods.

USCM

The first Jazz Appreciation Month celebration in the United States was held in April 2001, and organized by the curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

Schools, organizations and governments big & small celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with events ranging from free concerts to educational programs.

In 2008, my first year as Mayor of Philadelphia, the US Conference of Mayors adopted its first resolution calling for Mayors across the country to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Day.

USCM has continued to play an important role promoting the cultural sector as an economic driver for our national economy.

For those that aren’t familiar: the US Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more.

Almost 1,300 American cities are represented in the Conference, and I have been proud to serve as the Conference’s President since June 2012.

Read More: http://jazztimes.com/articles/69690-jazz-is-alive-and-will-never-die