The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Presents Its 25th Anniversary Celebration Made Possible by Cadillac

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, the world's premier non-profit jazz education organization, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary on September 11th and 12th in partnership with major sponsor Cadillac.  The 25th Anniversary Celebration will include a series of events and performances aimed to honor the rich history of the Institute and the profound impact of jazz education.

The Institute's International Jazz Competition is widely recognized as the world's most prestigious jazz competition.  Through the competition and the Institute's numerous educational programs, the Institute is committed to identifying and training promising young jazz musicians who will preserve the traditions of jazz while expanding the music in new directions.

"Cadillac is very proud to support an organization as important as the Thelonious Monk Institute. We both share a passion for creativity, technical sophistication and inspiring performance," said Don Butler, Cadillac vice president of marketing. "We appreciate being able to highlight the mission and success of the Institute as we join in celebrating its 25th anniversary."

This sponsorship is natural fit due to the shared history of jazz and Cadillac – both enduring, iconic, innovative and uniquely American brands.

"Jazz is America's greatest musical contribution to the world and is vital to our national identity," said Thomas R. Carter, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz president.  "We are very pleased to have such an iconic American brand support the Institute and our various events for the 25th Anniversary Gala and Jazz Piano Competition. Cadillac, like jazz, is an American creation."

Cadillac sponsored highlights of the 25th Anniversary celebration include:

• The 2011 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition Semifinals – Twelve semifinalists from around the world will compete and the three finalists will be announced at the end of the program. Judges include Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, Danilo Perez and Jason Moran. (Sunday, September 11 from 1 PM to 5 PM in Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Institution, sponsored by Cadillac)
• All Star Gala Concert – The 25th Anniversary Celebration, co-chaired by Madeleine Albright, Quincy Jones, Debra Lee and Colin Powell, will feature an appearance by Aretha Franklin, the Institute's Founder's Award honoree.  As a part of the evening, the three finalists will compete for scholarship prizes and a recording contract with Concord Music Group, and Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition winners from the past 25 years will perform a special tribute to the life and music of Thelonious Monk.  The winner of the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition will be announced, and leading jazz artists of multiple generations will be on hand to perform a wide range of music and styles.   (Monday, September 12 at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater sponsored by Cadillac)

About the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, a nonprofit jazz education organization, was founded in 1986 in memory of the legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. The Institute fosters the next generation of jazz greats by offering the world's most promising young musicians college level training by internationally recognized jazz masters, educating young people around the world about jazz through innovative public school programs, and presenting a wide range of initiatives that expand and perpetuate America's indigenous musical art form.  

Visit the Institute at www.monkinstitute.org.

About the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition

Since 1987, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz has presented the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, which is recognized as the world's most prestigious jazz competition and for discovering the next generation of jazz masters.  Each year, major scholarships and prizes including recording contracts are awarded to the talented young musicians participating in the Competition. The scholarships help pay tuition for college-level jazz education studies and provide funds for private, specialized instruction.  Past judges have included Dave Brubeck, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Marian McPartland, Pat Metheny, Arturo Sandoval and many others.

About Cadillac

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

SOURCE Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz