In 2002, the Smithsonian Institution announced the observance of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) in April.
JAM is intended to draw the public’s attention to the glories of jazz as both a historical and a living treasure by:
- Drawing greater public attention to the extraordinary history and heritage of jazz;
- Stimulating the current jazz scene and
- Encouraging people of all ages to participate in jazz–to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz and support institutional jazz programs.