ENROLLED ORIGINAL
1
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-30
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
March 7, 2023
To recognize and celebrate Blues Alley Jazz, the Blues Alley Jazz Society , and the Blues Alley
Jazz Festival for their contributions to jazz, the music world, and music education in the
District.
WHEREAS, Blues Alley Jazz was founded in 1965 in the Georgetown neighborhood of
Washington, DC, and continues to this day as America’s oldest operating jazz supper club;
WHEREAS, since its inception, Blues Alley Jazz has presented the finest in musical
entertainment and also features distinctive Creole dining cuisine in reflection of its inimitable
historic heritage;
WHEREAS, Blues Alley Jazz has presented jazz legends as estimable as Count Basie,
Sarah Vaughn, Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and Betty Carter, among many
more musical legends;
WHEREAS, Blues Alley Jazz has preserved this historic hegemony and further
contributed culturally to this unique genre of jazz with live recording releases including legends
Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Eva Cassidy, Ramsey Lewis, and Ahmad Jamal;
WHEREAS, Blues Alley Jazz is a legendary jazz landmark that enjoys international
recognition as both an industry leader and a jazz ambassador to the world;
WHEREAS, Blues Alley Jazz further contributed to the pantheon of pioneering musical
mentoring by establishing its non- profit organization, Blues Alley Jazz Society, in 1985;
WHEREAS, since the Blues Alley Jazz Society’s inception, their programming has
graduated students from every major music school and conservatory in America;
WHEREAS, the Blues Alley Jazz Society’s signature programs include a year-round
youth orchestra, summer jazz camp for children, and the inaugural Blues Alley Jazz Festival in
2023;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
2
WHEREAS, Blues Alley Jazz Society is defined by its presentation of performances and
its music education programming, including its annual guitar series with symposium, Ella
Fitzgerald international vocal competition, and BIG BAND JAM! festival every April during
national Jazz Appreciation Month;
WHEREAS, Blues Alley Jazz Society’s past and present programming partners have
included the White House, United States Congress, National Park Service, Library of Congress,
District of Columbia Public Libraries, Georgetown University, George Washington University,
and American University; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 Blues Alley Jazz Festival will take place in Washington, DC, from
April 15 through April 30, featuring artists -in-residence Stanley Jordan, Jane Monheit, and Jon
Faddis.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Blues Alley Jazz Month Recognition Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors Blues Alley Jazz and the Blues
Alley Jazz Society and celebrates the Blues Alley Jazz Festival by declaring April 2023 as
“Blues Alley Jazz Month” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.