Jazz Appreciation Month 2011 at the Smithsonian

April is Jazz Appreciation Month at the Smithsonian. Throughout the month, the Smithsonian will present numerous jazz related events, including performances, films and displays in venues around Washington, DC. Most events are free. Seating is first-come, first-served. Here some of the highlights:

• International Sweethearts of Rhythm - National Museum of American History, Archives Center Display, First Floor, March 29 - May 31. This exhibit showcases the first integrated all women's big band in the United States, from their beginnings at the Piney Woods School in Mississippi to their WWII USO Tour and later accomplishments.
  
  
• Jazz Treasures - National Museum of American History, Artifact Wall, Second Floor, Opens April 14. Display showcasing Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet, Tony Bennet's oil painting of Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz artifacts.
  
  
• Larry Redhouse Trio - National Museum of American Indian, April 9; 11:30 - 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Led by Navajo pianist Larry Redhouse, the Redhouse Trio will perform classic jazz standards and original tunes from their CD, "Spirit Progression."
  
  
• Rhythm Café: Antonio Carlos Jobim - Anacostia Community Museum, April 10; 2 - 4 p.m. Tony Regusters of WPFW (89.3) radio discusses Antonio Carlos Jobim. The legendary Howard University Jazz ensemble, under Fred Irby, performs.
  
  
• Filosofía Caribeña - National Museum of Natural History, April 15; 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Music by four-time Grammy-nominated Latin-jazz musician John Santos and his sextet integrates spoken word by Jerry Medina of Puerto Rico and choreography by Ramon Ramos Alayo of Cuba that illuminates the Afro-Latino presence, identity and historical connections between Black and Latin communities.
  
  
• Take 5! Ella in the Springtime - Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard. April 16; 3 - 5 p.m. Washington, DC's very own Brade Linde Ensemble performs a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.
  
  
• Take 5! The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet - Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard. April 19; 5:30 - 7 p.m. The Quintet--five young musicians from the University of the Pacific's Brubeck Institute-- performs standard jazz classics and their own compositions.
  
  
• Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Trio - Old Post Office Pavilion, April 20; Noon - 1 p.m. The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Trio will perform a range of music from jazz masters including Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Benny Golson, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver and Ahmad Jamal.
  
  
• Big Band JAM! "Jazz on the Mall" - Sylvan Theater, April 20 -22; 11:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. Part of Blues Alley Jazz Society's Seventh Annual Big Band JAM, this event is the only U.S. jazz festival created by kids for kids. High school, collegiate and military ensembles have the opportunity to participate in this festival in which performances are judged my members of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

For more information visit smithsonianjazz.org.

Related

A Guide to All of the Smithsonian Museums

The Smithsonian - Frequently Asked Questions

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