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The North Carolina Central University/African American Jazz Caucus Research Institute (NAJRI) would like to invite you to the 2nd Annual NAJRI HBCU Jazz Conference/Festival which will be held April 16 – 19, 2008 on the NCCU campus of NCCU, Durham, North Carolina.The conference will have special meaning as a result of two significant events:

• The 2nd Annual NAJRI HBCU Jazz Conference has been integrated with the 18th Annual NCCU Jazz Festival. The featured artists will be Terence Blanchard and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

AND

• NAJRI will launch its Jazz Hall of Fame with the initial induction of jazz giants who are natives of North Carolina: Max Roach, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Percy Heath, Dr. Billy Taylor, Lou Donaldson, Nina Simone and Tal Farlow. In addition, Jimmy Heath, Albert (Tootie) Heath and the Honorable Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), will also be inducted in recognition of their contributions to jazz.

The four day power-packed conference/festival offers:

• Symposia on issues uniquely affecting HBCU jazz education programs and the African American community
• Development of K – 12 Curricula/Feeder Systems
• Diversity in Jazz Education Teaching Methodologies
• Jazz, the Church and Community
• Vocal and instrumental clinics
• The Role of Jazz Radio, TV, Print Media & the Internet
• Master classes
• Continuing Education Credit workshops
• Welcoming reception
• Nightly jazz concerts
• Photo exhibit of jazz greats
• Nightly jam sessions
• Noted speakers

This conference will be a memorable and exciting event that will enrich the lives of the general public; jazz fans; everyone involved in jazz education; presenters; performers; the media; and business.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATES!

Disseminate this information to your staff and colleagues!

Complete details regarding the conference/festival will follow via mail and made available at the following web sites:

NAJRI.ORG
NCCU.EDU
AAJC.US

Your participation is critical towards preserving jazz as an “American Treasure” to be properly recognized and accorded the institutional status commensurate with its value and importance.

Sincerely,

Dr. Larry Ridley
NAJRI Co Director
AAJC Executive Director
[email protected]
212-979-0304

Dr. Ira Wiggins
NAJRI Co Director
NCCU Director of Jazz Studies
[email protected]
919-530-7214