Washington, DC, September 22, 2011: Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, will host the 25th Annual Jazz Issue Forum and Concert. The concert forum will take place during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 41st Annual Legislative Conference, September 21-24 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001. ASCAP is one of the concert's co-sponsors.
The Jazz Concert will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Ballroom B of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The concert is free and open to the public. DTE Energy and Microsoft are joining ASCAP as sponsors in this year's event.
The 7:00-10:00 p.m., concert on September 22nd, featuring award-winning jazz pianist and composer Randy Weston and African Rhythms and bassist Ben Williams and Sound Effect, will bring world renowned jazz musicians to the ALC conference.
Weston who began his professional career in the late 1940's, is a leading jazz composer, band leader and pianist, he has made numerous recordings in various group formats. He has recorded in solo, trio, mid sized groups and collaborations, incorporating African elements into his music. Williams is the winner of the Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition and released his debut album, State of Art, in June, 2011.
Overall, the CBC Jazz package offers a dynamic combination of information and straight ahead jazz from a collection of educators and superb artists that will remind everyone why jazz is truly a "national treasure."
