MONTCLAIR, NJ.- The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) will hold one of its signature events, Jazz for Art Education, on Friday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Museum. A fundraiser co-chaired by MAM Trustee Michael Heningburg, Jr., and Jeanine Downie, M.D., the evening will include tapas and cocktails, as well as the opportunity to bid on exclusive auction packages. Jazz artists Claudio Roditi and Dave Valentin and Steve and Iqua Colson will perform. Tickets will cost $200. To order tickets, or for more information, contact: MAM Special Events, 973-746-5555, ext. 210 or e-mail Lori Harris at lharris@montclairartmuseum.org.

Proceeds raised by this event will support the Museum’s numerous art education programs, including such community programs as Free Family Days, Park Bench, and our series of school tours. Scholarships to MAM’s Yard School of Art are awarded through the Nathaniel C. Harris, Jr., Scholarship Endowment Fund.

In addition to raising support for various art programs, Jazz for Art Education will honor and celebrate community service and exemplary leadership. A special honoree, The Honorable Nina Mitchell Wells, New Jersey’s Secretary of State, will be recognized for her longstanding support of art education and cultural organizations across New Jersey . The event will also celebrate the 15-year anniversary of MAM’s African American Cultural Committee. The committee’s goal is to expand public awareness of African American artists, writers, and musicians through MAM programming.

World-renowned Latin Jazz trumpeter and band leader Claudio Roditi will head up an ensemble of award-winning jazz and Latin jazz artists featuring the Grammy nominated jazz flutist Dave Valentin. Also performing will be Montclair’s own Steve and Iqua Colson, who will perform with their own ensemble of accomplished jazz innovators, starting off the evening with a few of the Colsons’ award-winning compositions.

In addition to enjoying fabulous music, the galleries will showcase professional artists’ and children’s artwork. Guests will have the opportunity to preview the exhibition Tribal Roots in the Garden State: 2008 New Jersey Arts Annual Craft. A children’s artwork project, created by area schoolchildren who visited the Museum as the result of the many school tours that MAM sponsors, will be on display in the main galleries. In recognition of Black History Month, MAM will highlight African American artists whose work is included its permanent collection.