LOS ANGELES -- The Beem Foundation will hold its 13th Annual Awards and Jazz Brunch on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Airport Radisson Hotel on Century Blvd. The event, a celebration of the jazz experience, starts at noon--for cocktails and mingling-- followed by luncheon at 1 PM and entertainment from Buddy Collette's band.

The year's honorees for achievements in the field of jazz include composer/arranger/pianist Billy Childs, and businesswoman Lana King Corbi. Honorary chairman of the occasion is Dr Ronald McCurdy, director of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Chuck Niles, the veteran KKJZ disc jockey, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The fund-raising affair provides the principal source of income for the BEEM Foundation, whose mission is to encourage the discovery and promote the development of young artistic talent in the black community. Last June BEEM mounted a production at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre of Langston Hughes' ASK YOUR MAMA: THE TWELVE MOODS FOR JAZZ. Hughes' poem was illustrated by a screened montage put together by videographer Eric Bailey which depicted the black experience of slavery, northern migration and the Harlem years of urbanization. The show was designed by McCurdy and Dr John Wright, distinguished professor of Afro-American Studies at the University of Minnesota.

For more information about BEEM (and the luncheon), visit www.beemfoundation.org or call (310) 677-6793.