Here's an item discovered, this past week, in the Wash. Post. How could I have missed this commemoration?! (Was this news covered by BET or Radio One?):
June 7
Hands were clapping and feet were (gingerly) stomping in the East Room of the White House yesterday as President Bush welcomed gospel singers Erica and Tina Campbell of the group Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and Smokie Norful to celebrate Black Music Month.
The singers each performed two songs, with the president and first lady Laura Bush nodding along. "Let history record you had me jumpin' in my seat," Bush said afterward.
The compliment wasn't just lip service -- the president smiled, clapped and mouthed the words as McClurkin sang, "Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from Heaven above with wisdom, power and love."
Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) were among the attendees, as Bush tipped his hat to innovators in jazz, gospel, the blues and rock, citing greats like Louis Armstrong , Lena Horne, Diana Ross and Ella Fitzgerald .
"One of the greatest black musicians to visit the White House was Dizzy Gillespie ," Bush said. "He liked it so much here he became a write-in candidate in 1964. His platform included jazz in schools and Miles Davis as head of the CIA."
Over the crowd's laughter, he added, "I'm not making that up."
Who knew that President Bush, or someone on his staff, is such a treasure trove of jazz trivia?! Somebody must be piping stuff into his i-pod.