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Jackie Robinson and Jazz!

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By Eddie Becton, All About Jazz: Los Angeles

Everyone knows the enduring legacy Jackie Robinson created on the baseball field in 1947, becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. The very act of stepping to the plate on that historic day, April 15th, helped Robinson cement his name in the annals of world history. Recognizing the impact of that occurrence, Robinson went beyond the baseball field to address the pressing need for racial equality and civil rights in America.

What then, does this have to do with jazz? Everything!

In 1963, Jackie and his wife, Rachel, organized a jazz concert in their home, attracting the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and other jazz luminaries. The proceeds from the concert were used as bail money for imprisoned civil rights activists, most notably that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jackie passed away in 1972, but his civil rights legacy continued with concert proceeds eventually being donated to the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF), established in 1973 by Rachel. In honor of Jackies myriad accomplishments on the baseball field and off, the foundation began providing education and leadership training to minority college students with a particular emphasis on scholarships, academic support, career planning, and a stellar mentorship program. To date, over 97% of JRF scholarship recipients have graduated from college, an astounding percentage and over twice the national average for minority students!

In 2006, JRF broadened its musical scope to include a west coast version of these concerts in Los Angeles, aptly called Jazz on the Grass. The most recent concert on September 20th, 2008 marked the third anniversary of Jazz on the Grass, hosted by award-winning television, theater, and motion picture director Oz Scott, husband of acclaimed sculptor Lynne Scott. Continuing the Robinson's tradition of hosting outstanding musicians, this years concert was no different, featuring a stellar cast, among others, such as Freda Payne, Michael Henderson, Kenny Rankin, Carmen Lundy, Brian Bromberg, Rick Braun, and Paul Jackson, Jr.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a performance by JRF Scholar Anthony Diamond. Diamond, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University is an accomplished saxophonist, having shared the stage with the likes of Branford Marsalis and Esperanza Spalding. It is still early, but be sure to mark your calendars when Jazz on the Grass 2009 is confirmed! Not only will you be up close and personal with top-tier jazz artists, but also, more significantly, continuing the rich legacy of Jackie and Rachel Robinson.

Please visit our website for more information about how you can help this outstanding organization.

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