[Dixielandjazz] Artie Shaw named "Jazz Master"

[Steve barbone]

>From Associated Press: Seattle:

Former big band leader Artie Shaw is among seven artists who have been named
National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.

Since 1982 the National Endowment has awarded the title to a handful of
living jazz musicians and promoters to recognize their contributions to the
music form.

Those honored also include guitarist Kenny Burrell, clarinetist-saxophonist
Paquito D'Rivera, comp[oser Slide Hampton, keyboardist Jimmy Smith, singer
Shirley Horn and jazz impresario George Wein. The announcement was made
Thursday at a gala hosted by Seattle's Earshot Jazz Society.

The seven will officially receive their awards at a January 7 concert and
ceremony in Long Beach California.

"Jazz may well be considered America's most treasured and most influential
export" said NEA chairman Dana Gioia. "From it's earliest days until now it
has continued to grow creatively - yet the people who have given us this art
form deserve far greater recognition."

END RELEASE

Well, er, um, NEA, what took so damn long to recognize Artie Shaw??????????

Cheers,
Steve Barbone