    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 19, 2008]
    [Pages 857-858]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Celebration of American Jazz
    June 19, 2008

        Welcome to the East Room of the White House. I welcome members of my
    Cabinet and my administration; a music lover, Senator Orrin Hatch from the great State of Utah; distinguished guests.
    We're so pleased you're here to celebrate a great American art form:
    jazz. And we hope you're jazz lovers, because you're going to hear some
    good music tonight.
        The story of jazz mirrors the story of our Nation. This proud
    musical tradition was born of the songs brought here by African slaves.
    Decades later, it absorbed the waltzes that accompanied immigrants from
    Europe. Over time, jazz helped break down barriers of prejudice between
    blacks and whites and even defined an age that brought new liberty to
    America's women.
        In a twist of history, the music that came to America in chains
    ultimately helped America spread freedom abroad. In 1956, the State
    Department sent American jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie around the world
    on a mission to trumpet American values. He was in Turkey when word came
    that a group of Cypriot students stoned the U.S. Embassy in Athens. And
    so he was sent to the Greek capital to soothe anti-American hostility
    with a jazz performance. The concert atmosphere was tense. The students
    stormed the stage. People were nervous, until the students put Dizzy
    Gillespie on their shoulders and shouted ``Dizzy! Dizzy! Dizzy!''
    [Laughter]
        With its spontaneity and energy and innovation, jazz expresses the
    best of America's character. And through a--its role in fostering
    freedom and equality, jazz reflects the best of America's ideals.
    Tonight this magnificent art form will be brought to life by some jazz
    masters. Grammy award winning guitarist Earl Klugh will play for us after dinner. And before dinner, we're
    honored to hear from saxophonist Davey Yarborough, vocalist Esther Williams
    from the Washington Jazz Arts Institute.
        Before Davey and Esther take the stage, please join me in a toast to American
    jazz, but more importantly, to the United States of America.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:36 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape
    was incomplete.

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