Senate Resolution No. 1923

BY: Senator CLEARE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 2024, as Jazz Appreciation Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
within our midst who have contributed to the quality of life and the
cultural heritage of New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2024, as Jazz Appreciation Month
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Jazz Appreciation Month; and

WHEREAS, Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) is a music festival held
every April in the United States in honor of jazz as an original
American art form; in 2001, JAM was created by John Edward Hasse, PhD,
curator of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, Jazz Appreciation Month became a national
extension of the original Jazz Awareness Month created by the Louisiana
Jazz Federation in New Orleans; it was established to be an annual event
to pay tribute to jazz as both living and historic music; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in 2001, the annual funding to support
Jazz Appreciation Month has been provided by the Ella Fitzgerald
Charitable Foundation; it coincides with International Jazz Day on April
30th; and

WHEREAS, Jazz, the classic music of America, has had an enduring
influence not only on our State and Nation but also on the world; and

WHEREAS, The month of April acknowledges the creativity and talent
of jazz musicians and composers, reminding us of the diverse and rich
contributions to this uniquely American art form; and

WHEREAS, JAM will be celebrated in many venues throughout New York
State during the month of April; and

WHEREAS, New York State has been honored to be the birthplace and
home of countless jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday,
Duke Ellington, George and Ira Gershwin, and countless others; and

WHEREAS, Many of the greatest Jazz Clubs in the history of the world
were located in Harlem, New York, including, without limitation, The
Alhambra Ballroom, The Cotton Club, Count Basie's Lounge, The Lenox
Lounge, The Renaissance Ballroom, The Savoy, and Monette's Supper Club;
and

WHEREAS, Many of the greatest Jazz Clubs in Harlem exist to this
day, including, Bill's Place, Minton's Playhouse, Jazz Mobile, and The
Apollo Theater; and

WHEREAS, Many of the finest jazz musicians lived in, played in, and
frequented Harlem, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Earl
"Fatha" Hines, Cab Calloway, Thelonius Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Count
Basie, "Jelly Roll" Morton, Charlie Parker, Fats Waller, Ella
Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters, Bill "Bojangles"
Robinson, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and Josephine Baker; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body calls upon its members and fellow New
Yorkers to observe Jazz Appreciation Month by listening to jazz in
clubs, on the air, and in various jazz celebrations throughout the
State; and

WHEREAS, New York State's famous jazz musicians have inspired and
entertained countless players, singers, dancers, and listeners with such
styles as Dixieland, swing, bebop, Latin jazz fusion, free jazz, jazz
fusion, funk, and hip-hop; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2024, as Jazz
Appreciation Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.