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Posted Saturday July 26, 2008

President and Mrs. George W. Bush hosted a dinner in honor of American jazz at the White House on June 19, 2009. Bush said in a toast that "the story of jazz mirrors the story of our nation" as it was born from songs of African slaves and it later absorbed the waltzes of European immigrants.

"With its spontaneity and energy and innovation, jazz expresses the best of America's character," Bush told about 200 guests in the East Room. "And through its role in fostering freedom and equality, jazz reflects the best of America's ideals."

After dinner, the Earl Klugh Band performed for about 200 distinguished guests in the White House East Room including President Bush, first lady Laura Bush, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia.

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