Jazz Power Celebration20 Will Honor The Miranda Family, Filmmaker Phil Bertelsen and Corporate Leader, TD Bank

Recognizing two decades of success, utilizing jazz tradition, culture, and the arts to educate, foster creative self-expression, and build community

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA, April 11, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — For the past two decades, Jazz Power Initiative (JPI) has been an influential part of the arts education community. By utilizing the power of jazz music and jazz tradition to educate and transform the lives of young people, the organization has fostered positive self-expression, a sense of community, teamwork, and diversity. On May 15th, at One Vanderbilt Avenue (TD Conference Center), the organization will host Jazz Power Celebration20 in recognition of its numerous accomplishments.

In addition to honoring The Miranda Family – Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda; Luz Miranda-Crespo and Luis Crespo; Lin Manuel-Miranda and Vanessa A. Nadal; and Miguel Towns, with the inaugural “Philanthropy Award”- the organization is proud to announce two more honorees, award-winning filmmaker, Phil Bertelsen will receive the “Changemaker Award”, and TD Bank, one of the largest banking institutions in North America will be the recipient of the “Corporate Social Responsibility Award”.

The staunch support of people and organizations over 20 years – including the leadership of those being honored – have helped Jazz Power Initiative to achieve its mission in Northern Manhattan, to now serve thousands of New Yorkers and visitors annually – students, teachers, artists, families, and general audiences ages 6-80 and more, to build more creative and inclusive communities through jazz music, arts education, and performance.

What began as an idea in 1998, thanks to a grant from Meet the Composer/New Music for Schools, in tandem with funding from the Louis Armstrong Education Foundation awarded to acclaimed jazz musician and educator Eli Yamin, the first iteration of the organization was established. In 2003 it incorporated as The Jazz Drama Program, underwent another evolutionary transition to become a nonprofit organization in 2004, and rebranded in 2017 as Jazz Power Initiative. This change enabled the organization the opportunity to “broaden its scope and appeal while clarifying its mission”.

In its 20-year existence, under the leadership of a brilliant staff headed by Dr. Eli Yamin, the Managing and Artistic Director – the organization has touched the lives of over 6,000 young people; engaged the knowledge and experience of some 1,000 educators; and cultivated an inclusive audience, of over 100,000, reached through live performance attendance and virtual participation.

Eli Yamin, Managing and Artistic Director, Jazz Power Initiative— “20 years of Jazz Power Initiative is a milestone built in collaboration with brilliant minds and generous hearts — united in one love for jazz and the importance of passing on its treasures to the next generation. We are so grateful to our Celebration20 honorees for all they give to the world and for their guidance and support .”

Honoree, Emmy and Peabody award-winning filmmaker Phil Bertelsen has a long and established history with the Jazz Power Initiative. He served for many years on Jazz Power Initiative’s Board of Directors and produced the JPI Message Video currently on Jazz Power’s homepage, https://jazzpower.org/video/.

Mr. Bertelsen’s numerous credits as a filmmaker include documentaries, episodic tv, and network dramas that can be seen on Netflix, NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, Viacom, and other platforms.

TD Bank is a long-standing supporter of Jazz Power Initiative and its community-focused efforts, which closely align to the bank’s own work to support and create dialogues in arts and culture that reflect diverse voices.

Through their corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, the bank is helping drive equitable outcomes in diverse communities by focusingon four drives of change – Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities, and Better Health.

“TD Bank is honored to be recognized by the Jazz Power Initiative as we work together to educate and empower our next generation through jazz,” said Ralph Bumbaca, Commercial Market President of New York City, TD Bank. “Music is an incredibly powerful tool that drives positive change and connects us across our diverse communities and TD is proud to support Jazz Power Initiative’s ongoing efforts to elevate and amplify underrepresented emerging voices throughout the city.”

Funds raised during Jazz Power Celebration20 will help expand the organization’s arts education and performance programs. For information about JPI and to purchase tickets and sponsorships to Jazz Power Celebration20 as well as tickets to the Rhythm Revue Dance Party, a continuation of the evening’s celebration – visit www.jazzpower.org/celebration20.

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Sam Mattingly
SMCommunication Solutions
+1 917-331-9375
[email protected]
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