Obama Taps Mayfield for Arts Post

President Obama has nominated jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield Jr. to a spot on the National Council on the Arts.

His nomination was sent to the Senate for approval.

Hayfield has been serving as culteral ambassador of the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana since 2003. He founded and became artistic director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and was appointed artistic director of Jazz at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis last year. Mayfield, whose father drowned in Hurricane Katrina, also performed at a benefit concert.

The council advises the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman, on grant applications, funding guidelines and other policy. Members are appointed by the president and serve 6-year terms. The council includes 14 members appointed by the President, and 6 members of Congress who serve in a non-voting capacity for two year terms. Twelve of the council's members were appointed by President George W. Bush and their terms do not expire until 2010 or later.