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Celebrating International Jazz Day 2019 in American Samoa

(L-R): Dr. Emilia Le’i- ASCC Dean of Student Services; Vaito’a Hans Langkilde- SJAF Board member; Kuki Tuiasosopo- Chairman, ASCC Fine Arts Department; Tom Scanlan- well known Am. Samoa musician; Rev. Peke Anoa’i- President of the Samoa Musika Foundation; Loretta Tonu-Pua'auli, Instructors, ASCC Fine Arts Instructor; Ulale Ulale- well known American Samoa musician; and Reggie Meredith Fitiao- Artist, ASCC Fine Arts Department.
“WE ARE PACIFIC’S BIRTH-PLACE OF JAZZ”
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On Tuesday, April 30th, the Faculty of Fine Arts- ASCC in collaboration with the Samoana Jazz & Arts Festival Board and Samoa Musika Foundation Inc. presented with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Thelonious Monk- Institute of Jazz and International Jazz Day — the 8th International Jazz Day 2019. The special day was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2011.

In 2012 Herbie Hancock, a jazz legend was named as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of Intercultural dialogue and understanding and Global Unity and Peace.

The local annual event was held at the ASCC Multi-Purpose Building- Auditorium and celebrated with the dedicated musicians of American Samoa, as well as the ASCC teaching staff & students of their communities.

 Reggie Meredith Fitiao- ASCC Art professor was the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which included a powerpoint presentation and live performances by Fitiao’s cultural arts student performers, displaying tapa waistbands and designs, and live music from Vaito’a Hans Langkilde, Tom Scanlan, Rev. Peke Anoa’i, Ulale Ulale, and a student guest performer.

International Jazz Day is currently recognized and celebrated in 195 countries around the world, including American Samoa.