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President Obama Celebrates Jazz at the White House

President Obama Celebrates Jazz at the White House
(AP)

Friday, 29 April 2016 08:29 PM EDT

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are celebrating International Jazz Day a day early with a concert at the White House.

Borrowing a line from trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie, who ran for president in 1964, Obama says he intends to turn the White House into the "Blues House" with Friday night's concert.

Obama says he first obtained an appreciation of jazz when a father he "barely knew" came to visit him for about a month in Honolulu. He says his father took him to see jazz pianist Dave Brubeck in 1971.

Obama says the world that concert opened up for a 10-year-old boy was spectacular, and he was hooked.

The concert features Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock and others and is to be televised Saturday on ABC.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are celebrating International Jazz Day a day early with a concert at the White House.
US, White House, Jazz Concert
130
2016-29-29
Friday, 29 April 2016 08:29 PM
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