Along with such notable figures as First Lady Laura Bush and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, trumpeter, composer and jazz educator Wynton Marsalis (pictured) has been selected this year to receive a Congressional Award.
Held annually in Washington, D.C., the Gold Congressional Award Ceremony is supported by members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, and is dedicated to recognizing America’s Youth. Marsalis will receive the Horizon Award, which is presented annually to an individual from the private sector who has displayed outstanding commitments to improving the lives of our nation’s young people and who has provided critical support in the effort to make the Congressional Awards a national opportunity. Working with America’s youth has been a priority for Marsalis throughout his career, as evidenced not only by his “Jazz for Young People” series at Lincoln Center, but also by the numerous master classes he gives at local schools while on tour.
Marsalis joins a list of former recipients including Mariah Carey, Grant Hill, Leeza Gibbons and Tom Selleck. The Award will be presented by the Joint Leaders of Congress on Tuesday, June 25 at the National Building Museum in Washington, and the gala will feature live performances by drummer T.S. Monk, singer Nnenna Freelon, and the Duke Ellington Choral and Jazz Ensemble. Jazz Alley TV/Maui Reflection Films will sponsor and produce a National TV Special on the event.
For more information go to www.jazzalleytv.com or www.congressionalaward.org.
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