National Juneteenth Observance Foundation
2nd Annual
Jazz, Spoken Word, and Arts
Grassroots Fest
June 4, 2011
‘A Juneteenth Jazz Tribute to Ghalib Ghallab and the late Monk Montgomery’
“June Is Black Music Month!” – CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH JAZZ –
“Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!”
West Las Vegas Library Theater
951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Las Vegas NV
We are asking for your support of The National Juneteenth 2nd Annual Jazz, Spoken Word, and Arts Grassroots Fest, ‘A Juneteenth Jazz Tribute to Ghalib Ghallab and the late Monk Montgomery’ (“June Is Black Music Month!” – CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH JAZZ – “Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!”) to be held on June 4, 2011 at the West Las Vegas Library Theater. Please Join Us!
Open to the public, the free family event will include an all day Community Resource Fair culminating with a concert featuring performances in jazz and spoken word. William Howard "Monk" Montgomery, was the founder of the Las Vegas Jazz Society and pioneer of the jazz electric bass. Recipient of the 2010 National Juneteenth Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz, Pianist Ghalib Ghallab and his sons offer a two generation experience to the art of Jazz in Las Vegas today and will perform. Montgomery, founder of the Las Vegas Jazz Society, will be posthumously awarded the 2011 National Juneteenth Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz. A National Juneteenth Lifetime Achievement will be presented to Mrs. Sarann Knight-Preddy. Monk and the Buffalo Soldiers will be recognized for their military contributions.
We are promoting the Juneteenth Holiday campaign while providing a day of entertainment and education. We are advocating for the passage of legislation to establish Juneteenth as a state and national holiday observance. Signatures will be solicited for forwarding to President Barack Obama at the White House. The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, under the leadership of Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr. M.D., is spearheading a national campaign to make Juneteenth Independence Day a national day of observance. The District of Columbia and 37 states, have made Juneteenth a day of observance. Legislation AB174 (BDR19--137) was presented in Nevada for Juneteenth recognition to be considered in 2011 by Assemblymen Munford, Hogan, and Neal. It is my sincere hope that we can announce Nevada’s approval at the flag raising and press event planned for June 4, 2011.
Heritage & Legacy Resource Community Fair– Ten to twelve tables, will provide information in the areas of African American and Nevada history, the cultural heritage of Jazz rooted in Africa, Juneteenth Independence Day, African American military accomplishments, and genealogy research. Our goal is to grow the Nevada Juneteenth Independence Day network, enhance the statewide education initiative, and promote writers and performers of musical, written and spoken word.
We are celebrating Jazz, the spiritual essence of a people whose lives continue to be the creative catalyst of all America's music and Juneteenth Independence Day which encourages critical thinking, conversation and reflection in the hopes that all can be acknowledged as united Americans, celebrating freedom. Committed to the preservation of the unique aesthetic expression of freedom, Juneteenth Jazz is dedicated to the innovators of this great music and the economic, cultural and educational development of the historic community that produced America's most intellectually sophisticated musical expressions of freedom, Jazz and Blues, were born in the rhythms of slavery and the celebration of freedom. The slaves incorporated the first instrument - voice, with drums, and bass, creating and replicating the heartbeat of life which in turn led evolved into today’s Jazz, Spoken word and Rap.
Concert Performers Tentatively Scheduled:
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. Piano & Trumpet
Larry Ridley, Bass
Ghalib Ghallab Experience, Jazz Trio
Eddy “D”, Congas, Percussion, & Spoken Word
Rick Jones, Trumpet
Mac Loving, Jr. Guitar
Gordon Henderson, Drums
Juneteenth Jazz Praise Ensemble
Freddie Eckstine, Vocals
Griot Nation, Spoken Word
The long term goal is to provide learning opportunities that incorporates the history of Juneteenth and Jazz, into the school curriculum. Juneteenth Independence Day recognizes that all inhabitants of the United States and its territories were not free on July 4, 1776. Some slaves won freedom by joining the army when President Lincoln declared that any slave joining the Union Army would be given freedom and others had escaped enslavement and migrated to states and territories outside of the Confederacy, including Nevada.
We believe that the modern Juneteenth movement can promote greater understanding and racial healing through education, conversation and collaboration. Music has always been credited with the power to heal the mind and body. While not political, the movement is supported by Republicans and Democrats and Tea Party members of all races. The movement has the acknowledgement and support of The Black Caucus, Senator Harry Reid and Sarah Palin. President Barack Obama, while a State and Congressional Senator went on the record supporting Juneteenth.
Dee Evans
Nevada State Director,
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation
Nevada Juneteenth Committee