WASHINGTON, April 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and Chuck Mangione launched the eighth annual Jazz Appreciation Month today with a special ceremony in the museum's Carmichael Auditorium marking the 100th anniversary of Benny Goodman's birth.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 8, 2009, two band leaders will be seated side by side at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony hoping their combined efforts will result in an award for the "Best Latin Jazz Album" of 2008.

Cuba-born pianist Hilario Durn and members of his ensemble will perform their bold jazz sounds Thursday at Stephens College for the Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa Memorial Concert.

By CHARLES J GANS of The Associated Press NEWPORT, R.I. - For the first time since he founded the Newport Jazz Festival, George Wein didn't have to sign any checks or worry about how the fickle weather might affect the bottom line.

By David Steinberg Journal Staff Writer Trombonist Cesar Bauvallet thinks of his 15-year-old salsa band Son Como Son as a little school of selfimprovement. The musicians in the Albuquerque band have learned how to play salsa in its many forms, and they always want to get better at it.