President Obama celebrates jazz at the White House
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| First lady Michelle Obama acknowledges musician Herbie Hancock as she speaks to high school students from across the Washington D.C. area in State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, April 29, 2016, as part of the International Jazz Day celebration. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are celebrating International Jazz Day a day early with a concert at the White House.
Borrowing a line from trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie, who ran for president in 1964, Obama says he intends to turn the White House into the "Blues House" with Friday night's concert.
Obama says he first obtained an appreciation of jazz when a father he "barely knew" came to visit him for about a month in Honolulu. He says his father took him to see jazz pianist Dave Brubeck in 1971.
Obama says the world that concert opened up for a 10-year-old boy was spectacular, and he was hooked.
The concert features Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock and others and is to be televised Saturday on ABC.
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| First lady Michelle Obama speaks to high school students from across the Washington D.C. area in State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, April 29, 2016, as part of the International Jazz Day celebration. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) |
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| The Tedeschi Trucks Band with special guests Billy F. Gibbons, right, and Jimmie Vaughan, back left, play on the Acura Stage at Jazz Fest on Thursday, April 28, 2016 in New Orleans. (Chris Granger/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP) |
Page created on 5/3/2016 2:12:49 AM
Last edited 5/3/2016 2:12:49 AM
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