Nordstrom Celebrates Black History Month

 

Exclusive Big Band Swing CD Will Benefit Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

SEATTLE, Jan. 21/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In celebration of February’s Black History Month, Nordstrom will offer customers a new compilation CD entitled Big Swing: African-American Legends of the Big Band Era. The Nordstrom-exclusive CD will feature  handpicked jazz songs recorded by iconic “big band” swing performers including Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Jordan and Billie Holiday. Beginning Feb. 1, the CD will be available for purchase for $18.95 in all Nordstrom stores and online at www.nordstrom.com/blackhistorymonth.

Nordstrom will donate all after-cost proceeds from the sale of Big Swing between Feb. 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2010 to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), an acclaimed modern dance company based in New York that inspires, entertains and educates through performances, training and educational programs across the country and around the globe.Recognized by the U.S. Congressional Resolution as a vital American”Cultural Ambassador to the World,” AAADT performances share a universal celebration of the human spirit using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition.

“Our customers and employees come from diverse backgrounds and we feel it’s important to support them,” said Amelia Ransom Letcher, divisional vice president of corporate diversity affairs for Nordstrom,Inc. “The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has a long history in the arts and education – two areas that are important to Nordstrom. We also share their vision of giving back to the community and are honored to partner with them in celebration of Black History Month.”

“Jazz is quintessentially American music that inspired Alvin Ailey and our eclectic repertory,” stated Judith Jamison,Ailey Artistic Director. “It is very generous and so fitting for Nordstrom and their customers to support Ailey’s artistry through Big Swing and these music legends.”

“We are thrilled that Nordstrom is celebrating Black History Month while saluting the Ailey organization,” stated Sharon Gersten Luckman,Ailey Executive Director. “Nordstrom’s donation, through the sales of this CD, will further Ailey’s innovative educational programs that encourage young people and provide them with tools to reach their full potential.”

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater inspires and unites people of all backgrounds around the globe in a universal celebration of the human spirit using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition.  With a repertory of more than 200 works,representing hundreds of choreographic and musical voices, and performances in 71 countries on 6 continents, the Company is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts and has been recognized by U.S.Congressional resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World.” Alvin Ailey believed that”dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people.”  A pioneer in using dance to educate and enlighten in schools and communities, innovative Ailey Arts In Education programs for inner-city children and residencies in public schools help

young people reach their full potential. The Ailey School provides scholarships and world-class training for aspiring dancers, the performing artists of the future, ensuring that Ailey’s “Revelations” continue to move future generations. For further information, visit www.alvinailey.org

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading fashion specialty retailers, with 184stores located in 28 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle,today Nordstrom operates 112 Full-Line Stores, 69 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store.  Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence at www.nordstrom.com and through its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

Nordstrom, Inc.