The John Conyers, Jr. Jazz Advocacy Award

In 1987, the Honorable John Conyers, Jr., Congressman (D-MI) a champion of jazz, introduced a bill to the House and the Senate that cited the critical need to have America’s most unique and original art form afforded a status commensurate with its value and importance in the United States.

The bill passed unanimously: “Jazz is hereby designated a rare and valuable national American treasure to which we should devote our attention, support and resources to make certain it is preserved, understood and promulgated.”

Congressman Conyers received the DC Jazz Festival’s first jazz advocacy award in recognition of his long years of devotion and commitment to jazz and his tireless efforts to ensure its rightful place in America’s history. Check back soon to see whom this year’s winner will be.


Past John Conyers Jr. Jazz Advocacy Award Recipients are:

• The Government of the District of Columbia (2009)
• Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment of Arts (2008)
• Congressman John Conyers Jr. (2007)