New York, NY, June 11, 2008: ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman announced that ASCAP will add six music greats to the ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. The invitation-only event will be hosted by Ms. Bergman in The Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan beginning at 6:30 PM.   

The event will be highlighted by the induction of three Jazz Living Legends: bassist Ron Carter, composer-arranger and saxophonist Bill Holman, and tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins. The latest group of inductees also includes three posthumous honorees: trumpeter Bunny Berigan, drummer Art Blakey, and arranger/composer/pianist Tadd Dameron. Participating in the event as presenters and/or performers will be Kenny Washington, Vanessa Rubin, Javon Jackson, Randy Sandke, Jay Leonhart, Jim Rotondi, Russell Malone and Stephen Scott.

In addition, critically acclaimed pianist /composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba will be presented with The ASCAP Foundation Vanguard Award for his innovative musical activity as a pianist and composer in the field of Jazz.

The reception will also celebrate the recipients of the sixth annual ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards. The program was established in 2002 to encourage the jazz creators of the future. The ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards recognize composers less than 30 years of age whose works are selected through a national competition. The recipients receive cash awards. The Young Jazz Composer Awards are in their third year of sponsorship by Gibson Foundation, the philanthropic arm of musical giant Gibson Guitar Corp. The Gibson Foundation supports The ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards in fulfillment of its commitment to educational excellence through music and the arts.

For more information visit www.ascap.com