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Genre celebrated as Jazz Appreciation Month continues
EAST POINT, Ga. — From dazzling horns to dancing piano keys, and all the bent notes, stirring strings, and vibrant vocals in between, the ArtsXchange is excited to celebrate National Jazz Appreciation Month with a free concert.
ArtsXchange and Jazz Matters will present The Edwin Williams Experience at 7:30 p.m. April 26 in the Paul Robeson Theater at ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. The concert, featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary jazz by Williams, Terry Dukes, Cheryl Johnson and other Metro Atlanta jazzers, is free and open to the public.
“Jazz, which is widely regarded as the only truly original American art form, was created by African Americans and has become a national treasure,” said Jazz Matters Director Janice Williams.
Jazz Appreciation Month, fondly known as JAM, was created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of the genre, which stretches back to New Orleans’ Congo Square in the 19th century. JAM encourages people of all ages to participate by studying the music, attending concerts, listening to jazz radio or recordings, or reading books about jazz, Williams said.
Edwin Williams is a bassist and native of Wilmington, N.C., who began touring at an early age with his father, guitarist and gospel artist Melvin Williams Sr. But he has also rooted himself in the Atlanta music scene as part of the John Robertson Trio at Dante’s Down the Hatch for over 23 years; the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s annual production of A Soulful Christmas; and as the producer of the inaugural Jazz Matters At The Wren’s Nest outdoor summer concert series in 2016, the year he also founded Jazz Matters.
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About ArtsXchange
The ArtsXchange, d/b/a the Southeast Community Cultural Center, was incorporated in 1983 and opened The Arts Exchange In 1984 in Grant Park, reshaping the landscape of Metro Atlanta’s arts scene. In East Point since 2017, the ArtsXchange empowers artists, social justice activists, and creative entrepreneurs to engage communities with innovative artistic learning experiences and cultural exchange. Our programming is designed to be inclusive, diverse, and to encourage positive change as participants come to a better understanding of themselves and others. Our art is our activism.
About Jazz Matters
Jazz Matters Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing the cultural and artistic significance of jazz music. Jazz, which is widely regarded as the only truly original American art form, was pioneered by African Americans and has become a national treasure. At Jazz Matters, we firmly believe in the importance of jazz music and our goal is to celebrate and promote it through our work. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we aim to support the continued growth and preservation of this invaluable art form.