SEATTLE, WA. (Top40 Charts/ Nordstrom) - In celebration of February's
Black History Month, Nordstrom will offer customers a new, exclusive CD entitled The Royal Blues - Celebrating the Queens of Blues and Jazz. The Nordstrom-exclusive CD will feature a handpicked compilation of songs recorded by iconic black female blues and jazz vocalists, both legendary and contemporary.
The Royal Blues features tracks from most influential female voices in the history of the blues, including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Sarah Vaughn and Shirley Horn. This compilation also includes a special track recorded exclusively for Nordstrom by up-and-coming jazz phenomenon Lizz Wright. 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 The Royal Blues between Feb. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009 to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and preparing a new generation of leaders by providing leadership development, scholarships, resources, opportunities and advocacy to Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities, students and alumni.
"Supporting the diverse communities that we serve is inherent to our culture," said Amelia Letcher, divisional vice president of corporate diversity affairs for Nordstrom, Inc. "We're happy to support The Thurgood Marshall College Fund and its meaningful education programs in celebration of Black History Month."
"Nordstrom was one of the early leaders in diversity recruiting and procurement. We are proud to be their 2009 Black History Month partner and applaud the entire corporate family for their community investment in our mission to develop future leaders from HBCUs," said Dwayne Ashley, President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund. "Nordstrom's commitment to supporting diverse communities across the country salutes the legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall and his commitment to equal access to education for all."
"I have such deep admiration for the other singers on this compilation. People like Aretha Franklin who I grew up listening to. She's the sound of home," said Lizz Wright. "I'm very excited to be a part of this album as it releases during Black History Month."
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 169 stores located in 28 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 109 Full-Line Stores, 56 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and two clearance stores. 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.
