短语讲解：

1. "Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world."

belong to 属于; 是（某团体、国家等）的成员
例句：I belong to no party.
我不属于任何派别。

2. Willis's role overseas in propagating jazz and its effect and presenting the best of America in actions rather than words.

rather than （要） …而不…，与其…倒不如…
例句：Often they are experts hired by stakeholders, rather than stakeholders themselves.
他们通常是利益关系人聘请的专家，本身却不是利益关系人。

3. Because it came with thousands of sound recordings, we've cataloged and added almost 20,000 CDs alone, just from Conover’s collection.

thousands of 数千的
例句：A computer consists of thousands of components.
电脑由成千上万个部件组成。

4. We found out from the Grammy foundation in March that we had indeed gotten the grant and sent up the first batch this summer of Conover reels.

find out 发现; 使发作
例句：I'll find out the address,and ring you back.
我找到地址后再与你通电话。
send up 发射; 使向上升; 毁坏
例句：Dominic told the doorman to send the kid up.
多米尼克告诉门房，叫那小伙子上来。

5. In honor of his memory, a petition has been sent to persuade the Postal Services Stamp Advisory Committee to put Willis Conover on a U.S. postage stamp.

in honor of 为了向…表示敬意
例句：A banquet was given in honor of the visiting President.
为来访的总统举行了宴会。