CENTER FOR JAZZ ARTS CONTINUES LEADERSHIP IN TRANS-ATLANTIC CULTURAL INITIATIVES February 24, 2006 Los Angeles --- In January of ‘2004, the Center for Jazz Arts (CJA) was founded as the first public benefit organization of its kind with a core mission dedicated to the advancement of American jazz culture throughout numerous fields of the visual, literary, and classical arts, around the world. In support of that mission, and from its primary operations in the heart of the Los Angeles media and entertainment community, the CJA has continued to promote the urgent need for greater understanding of the unparalleled history of diversity, tolerance, and shared national heritage created throughout the broad embrace of American popular culture, both within and beyond its borders, and has continued to bring together a distinguished group of international educators, artists, scholars, filmmakers, and government leaders behind its work throughout the United States and Europe. Beginning in July of ‘2005, and combined with an even broader, U.S.-based campaign, the international advocacy work of the CJA has included a multi-national, promotional initiative coordinated with State Department representatives at each of the U.S. Embassies in London, Paris, and Berlin, focused on the development of innovative, new, American Studies programs in each country. Made possible through the ongoing support of leading members from both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the CJA’s efforts throughout the past year have continued to bring new light to critical issues surrounding the world’s changing cultural dialog. “Since the launch of last year’s initiative, we’ve been extremely pleased to see the important, new, arts and educational partnerships now being introduced between various, U.S. and European institutions, particularly those involving the U.S. State Department” explained Center for Jazz Arts president and chairman Guy DeFazio. “Beyond our work on the many, cooperative programs being made possible through the mission of the CJA, the critical efforts of the hundreds of dedicated, State Department officials around the world remain vital to our nation’s ongoing communication of truthful and accurate messages about the United States, its people, and its culture.” Prior to the launch of its July ‘2005 campaign, the CJA’s unifying, public mission had previously brought together numerous, distinguished conductors, composers, artists, and producers, from across the United States and Europe, behind the launch of the initial phase of its online, classical arts programming. In response to an invitation to provide their personal direction in the creation of this new, educational resource, a distinguished group of creative leaders including Sir George Martin (London), Pierre Boulez (Paris), Sir Simon Rattle (Berlin), Esa-Pekka Salonen (Los Angeles), James DePreist (New York), Sir Andrew Davis (Chicago), and many others, each shared their personal recommendations of defining, jazz-influenced works from the world of classical music, and each has served to bring even greater public engagement to this unique, multi-cultural learning tool. Most recently, the ongoing, Internet-based work of the CJA has now made possible a remarkable, new, online exhibition in close cooperation with Britain’s renowned Royal Albert Hall, making available to the international public a collection of rare and important photos, illustrations, graphics, and textual accounts uncovered for the first time in nearly a generation. As just one example of how the CJA’s innovative, new, public resources are continuing to provide thousands of international educators, students, journalists, and scholars with ongoing access to invaluable documents from throughout the history of America’s shared national heritage around the world, its latest exhibition opens an extraordinary window into the defining spirit of freedom and innovation existing throughout the heart of twentieth-century London, and the countless lessons it carries into today. During the coming year, the Center for Jazz Arts will continue to work closely with leading public, private, and government groups throughout the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany to provide important, new channels of understanding both for the unifying history of American popular media and entertainment around the world, and for the wealth of rich and vital, local heritage originating from across America’s leading partner nations of Europe. About the CJA: Established in 2004, the Center for Jazz Arts is an international institution devoted to the study and advancement of American jazz culture throughout the visual, literary, and classical arts, around the world. Through its primary operations in Los Angeles, it is building a prominent new platform of engagement for students, artists, educators, and the broader public, from every generation. To contact the CJA: Public Relations Center for Jazz Arts (866) 950-5200 info@centerforjazzarts.com [ back to top ]