Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, June 18, 2001
Release # 213-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Peter Fenty (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI KICKS OFF THE 29TH ANNUAL
JAZZ FESTIVAL, SPONSORED BY JVC

Proclaims June 'JVC Jazz Festival Month' In New York City

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani hosted a reception today at Gracie Mansion to celebrate the 29th Annual JVC Jazz Festival in New York City. Sponsored for the past 18 years by JVC Company of America -- an international manufacturer of audio and video equipment -- this year's Festival will include approximately 300 musical artists performing at 27 venues across New York City, including free lunch-time shows in Bryant Park on June 19, 20, 21 and 22. In recognition of this year's festival, the Mayor proclaimed the month of June, 'JVC Jazz Festival Month,' in New York CIty. The Festival began on June 17th and runs until June 30th.

Joining the Mayor at the reception were Rudy Washington, Deputy Mayor for Community Development and Business Services; Katsuhiko Hattori, President and Chief Executive Officer, JVC Company of America; Harry Elias, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, JVC Company of America; George Wein, President and CEO, Festival Productions; Ninfa Segarra, President, Board of Education; and Cephas Bowles, General Manager, WBGO FM Radio. The reception featured performances by The Eric Reed Quartet, which was broadcast live on WBGO 88.3 FM.

"New Yorkers are fortunate to have yet another opportunity to enjoy the great sounds of Jazz this summer," the Mayor said. "For nearly two decades, JVC Corporation has been bringing this quintessentially American musical art form to not only those of us here in the City, but to millions of others in the United States and around the world. And while New Yorkers have countless venues in which to enjoy live Jazz throughout the year -- at clubs in Greenwich Village, Midtown, Harlem, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and at small pubs in the East Village -- we especially look forward to this annual event.

"I want to thank the organizers for their hard work and commend JVC Corporation for sponsoring this year's festival. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to mark this occasion by proclaiming the month of June as 'JVC Jazz Festival Month' in New York City," the Mayor added.

During today's kickoff reception JVC also presented 12 TV/VCR sets to shelters designated by the NYC Department of Homeless Services. DHS Commissioner Martin Osterreich was on hand to accept the donation.

This year's JVC Jazz Festival is expected to reach 500,000 people in New York City and millions more around the globe. JVC Jazz Festivals will also be held in Chicago; Miami Beach; Atlanta; Winter Park, Colorado; Hollywood and Concord, California; Newport, Rhode Island; Paris; Amsterdam; and Toronto. For more information about JVC Jazz Festivals call (212) 501-1390, or visit the sponsor's website, www.festivalproductions.net.; this website can be linked through the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.nycvisit.com.


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