U.S. Postal Service Celebrates Latin Jazz, Hispanic Heritage

Stamp dedication at Elgin Fiesta Salsa event

What:
Dedication of the Latin Jazz commemorative postage stamp at the Elgin Fiesta Salsa celebration.

Who:
Bruce Jelinek, Officer In Charge, Elgin Post Office
Efren Anguiano, Hispanic Program Specialist, U.S. Postal Service
Luz Moreno, A/Hispanic Program Specialist, U.S. Postal Service
Edward Schock, Mayor, Elgin, IL
Juan Figueroa, Elgin Council Member
Ruth Munsen, Illinois House of Representatives, 43rd District
Ms. Hispanidad for 2008
Sondra Solarte, FOX News

When:
Saturday, September 13, 2008
12:30 p.m.

Where:
Elgin Fiesta Salsa celebration
Festival Park
132 S. Grove Ave.
Elgin IL 60120

Note:
The Latin Jazz stamp is the latest in a long history of stamp subjects honoring Hispanic people, places and events. Recognition also has been given to American journalist Ruben Salazar, the 1947 Mendez v. Westminster trial and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. Altogether, the Postal Service has issued over 50 stamps celebrating Hispanic heritage

Latin jazz is an improvisational and rhythmic style of music that combines elements of jazz with musical traditions rooted in Africa, Europe and the Americas. Like jazz, it relies on instruments such as the piano, saxophone and bass to play and improvise harmonies and melodies. Most Latin jazz adds a complex rhythm section, which can include conga drums, the bongo, maracas, the cowbell or other percussion instruments.

Building on the marriage of Caribbean and North American music styles that had begun in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Latin jazz spread throughout the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, along with the growing popularity of Latin rhythms and dance styles. Enthusiasm for Latin jazz reached new heights during the 1940s and 1950s. Since then, new instruments like the flute and trumpet have been added to the Latin jazz sound.

To see the stamp and download a 300 dpi image visit:
http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008stamps/downloadcenter.htm

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

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