VOA标准英语2011--Smithsonian Celebrates Jazz Appeciation

Smithsonian Celebrates Jazz Appeciation Month

It's April and time once again to celebrate one of America's greatest treasures, jazz with the 10th anniversary of Jazz Appreciation¹ Month.
Jazz took a giant step forward when pianist Mary Lou Williams performed in Duke Ellington's Washingtonians when she was 15 years old. She had a prolific² career as a composer, arranger and nimble player of blues³, boogie-woogie, swing and be-bop. Williams is featured on this year's poster for Jazz Appreciation Month, and her legacy⁴, along with the legacies⁵ of women jazz musicians everywhere, are being recognized around the world.
Williams paved the way for the great ladies of modern jazz, including pianist Geri Allen.
"I remember the first live jazz performance that I heard," she said. "My mom took me because I was too young to go to a jazz club, and the experience of hearing live jazz and the great musicians that were playing that evening completely turned me around and made me dive into the world of jazz."
There's no substitute for live jazz, and according to trumpeter Chris Botti, it's just a matter of getting hooked after seeing that first concert.
"Jazz is probably the first and only true American art form, and it's comprised primarily of mainly instrumentalists and it's something that I've been very passionate⁷ about, getting young people to pick up [lessons on] a trumpet⁶, a cello⁸ or a piano," he said. "One thing that can really aid them in that quest to find out about music is to see music live."
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History launched Jazz Appreciation Month to promote jazz as a historic and living American art form. There are celebrations throughout the U.S. and in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Among the many events is a special tribute to the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, the nation's first integrated female big band. Six original members recently donated a collection of vintage photographs and memorabilia now on display at the Smithsonian.

1 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

2 prolific   

adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的

参考例句：

• She is a prolific writer of novels and short stories.她是一位多产的作家，写了很多小说和短篇故事。
• The last few pages of the document are prolific of mistakes.这个文件的最后几页错误很多。

3 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

4 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

5 legacies   

n.遗产( legacy的名词复数 )；遗留之物；遗留问题；后遗症

参考例句：

• Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind. 书是伟大的天才留给人类的精神财富。 来自辞典例句
• General legacies are subject to the same principles as demonstrative legacies. 一般的遗赠要与指定数目的遗赠遵循同样的原则。 来自辞典例句

6 trumpet   

n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘

参考例句：

• He plays the violin, but I play the trumpet.他拉提琴，我吹喇叭。
• The trumpet sounded for battle.战斗的号角吹响了。

7 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

8 cello   

n.大提琴

参考例句：

• The cello is a member of the violin family.大提琴是提琴家族的一员。
• She plays a melodious cello.她拉着一手悦耳的大提琴。