Brandon Weiner playing jazz outside of John Conyers' Office in Detroit

Here is a young Detroit jazz musician, Brandon Weiner, who took to the streets in front of Congressman John Conyers, Jr.'s office at the federal building.

These are the ones who will preserve the musical legacies of Detroit.


Congratulations, Brandon, this is your digital debut.  Make it happen!

The Jazz Education Network

On behalf of the JEN Board, we are extremely proud to announce the Honorable John Conyers as our keynote speaker at the JENeral session on Saturday afternoon! As you are no doubt aware, Rep. Conyers was behind the H.CON.RES57 legislation declaring Jazz as a a National Treasure! Visit the resolution at this url: http://www.hr57.org/hconres57/html


Further, Rep. Conyers will be assisting in a panel discussion along with William Brower, Larry Ridley, and Jackie Harris titled: Federal Government Support For Jazz – The Next Opportunity! You certainly will not want to miss that one!


Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 40 years. He is the former Chairman of the House Government Operations Committee. He presently serves as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Congressman Conyers is a founding member and the Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus.


Congressman Conyers is well known as a patron of the arts, and is renowned for his love of jazz. In his role as a federal legislator, he has successfully fought for greater recognition and funding for jazz. In 1987, the Congress passed Conyers’ House Concurrent Resolution 57 designating jazz a “national American treasure.” In 1990, the Congressman won passage of a resolution commemorating tap, a form of dance closely associated with jazz. That measure designated May 25th, the birthday of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, as National Tap Dance Day. Also in 1990, Congressman Conyers won passage of appropriations legislation awarding the Smithsonian Institution with funding to establish a comprehensive jazz program, including the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.


Since 1985, Congressman Conyers has hosted a Jazz Issue Forum and Concert at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. These have events have provided a platform for the discussion of many issues of profound concern to the jazz community, while presenting and celebrating many significant artists.
Congressman Conyers has repeatedly been honored for his activities in support of this art form, having received the Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Award from the American Federation of Jazz Societies, Downbeat Magazine’s Special Achievement Award, WBGO FM’s Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Award, and the Jazz Journalist Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Most recently the D.C. Jazz Festival who has created the John Conyers Jr. Jazz Advocacy Award in his name honored Congressman Conyers.


Congressman Conyers has been supportive of efforts to present live jazz to the public in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area through his past service as a director on the boards of such organizations as Capital City Jazz Festivals, Inc., and District Curators. He has also served in the past on the boards of the National Jazz Service Organization, and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.