 Atlanta, GA (Future of Jazz/ www.futureofjazz.com) - The Future of Jazz is a roots based organization founded in February 2004 in Atlanta Georgia. The showcase evolved into a competition when Alonzo Craig, program director of The City of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs needed a way to find the best local talent for Atlanta's Jazz Festival. Jazz dignitaries such as Earl Klugh and Lonnie Listion Smith have participated as judges lending their support to up and coming artists. With several competitions held, the popular cultural event has grown exponentially since its inception and a live CD compilation will be released entitled Future of Jazz-Live In Atlanta For The Arts-Vol. 1. Pat Patten of Jammates Records LLC offered to record and finance the project and the artists agreed they would donate one of their original compositions to Atlanta's Jazz Festival to fund more performance opportunities for the Atlanta based artists. The CD release party for the Future of Jazz-Live In Atlanta For The Arts-Vol. 1 will take place July 9th at Churchill Grounds, where it was recorded. The compilation is a wonderful representation of the many forms of jazz. The hope is to inspire and encourage artists and the recording industry to take new directions and creativity in the ever-expanding world of jazz music. "I am so excited about the evolution of The Future of Jazz competition," says Future of Jazz coordinator, Tammy Allen. "This is an innovative way to promote career growth and create positive revenue streams for artist and cultural entities." Many great musicians never have the opportunity to discover a wider audience and because of different circumstances, there are lack of resources and opportunities at their disposal. Future of Jazz is an organization that wants to change all that. With the ongoing success of the organization's growth and popularity and the release of the first CD, which is destined to be a series of sought after releases; it looks as though their good work is already making a difference for many talented jazz artists in the Atlanta area. Perhaps this can be template for many other cities across the U.S. in an effort to explore new ground in music and expose those that deserve the opportunities other more fortunate artists are currently enjoying.
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