BOSTON, MA. (DAWN SINGH PUBLICITY) - JazzBoston Inc. today announced its official launch as a non-profit organization and the debut of its website, www.jazzboston.org.
The 501(c)(3) organization, with representation from every corner of Boston's diverse jazz community, will also bring a major new event to the city next year: Jazz Week, a celebration of jazz in all styles, which will be held in venues throughout the city from April 21 to April 29, 2007. The event is scheduled to coincide with the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month and culminate on Duke Ellington's birthday.
Jazz Week is one of several initiatives planned by JazzBoston to further its mission of supporting the long-term growth of the entire Boston jazz scene. Starting with a vibrant scene - live jazz was presented in hundreds of locations in metropolitan Boston last year - JazzBoston aims to build and serve audiences for jazz music, expand performance opportunities for jazz musicians, and raise Boston's profile as a jazz city.
The city's leading schools, artists, venues, media, and cultural organizations, and the City of Boston are all represented on JazzBoston's Board of Directors and Advisory Council.
The organization's distinguished Artistic Advisors include Danilo Pérez, Joe Lovano, Walter Beasley, Carol Sloane, Donal Fox, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Charlie Kohlhase.
'What's different about JazzBoston,' says Executive Director Pauline Bilsky, 'is that everything we do is based on collaborations and partnerships. We believe that connecting members of the jazz community who don't normally work together enhances everyone's ability to achieve the goals we share.'
'We're united by a common purpose,' she adds. 'We want to spread the word about Boston's thriving jazz scene and keep it growing. We think the tagline on JazzBoston's logo says it all: The future of jazz is here and now.'
JazzBoston is focusing on four key initiatives at its launch:
• JazzBoston.org, the website, the gateway to all things jazz in and around Boston, all in one plac. In addition to a comprehensive events calendar, the site offers free downloads, links to musicians, venues, radio, news, blogs, jazz-related businesses and services, and a wealth of educational resources. All services to fans and musicians are provided without charge.
• Jazz Week, a network of live jazz events of all kinds all over Boston from April 21 to 29. Stay tuned for more details later this year.
• The JazzBoston Family Initiative - Jazz for All Ages, a series of programs serving, entertaining, and educating audiences from children to seniors. Programs are being developed in collaboration with artists, schools, community organizations, and neighborhood groups.
• Public School Partnerships, a long-term program to enhance the jazz curriculum in Boston's public school program. It is being launched in the 2006-2007 school year with the Boston Arts Academy, the city's first and only full-inclusion public high school.
All JazzBoston's leadership and operating positions are staffed on a pro bono basis.
To support the organization's mostly free and low-cost programs as well as the free services for musicians and fans provided by its website, a membership drive is underway. Reflecting the inclusive, grassroots nature of the organization, memberships start as low as $20 and entitle those who join to discounts at many Boston-area clubs. Details are available in the 'Join Us' section of www.jazzboston.org.
The idea for JazzBoston took root over a year ago among a small core of members of the city's jazz community, and grew to include an expanding group of local stakeholders in the art, education, and business of jazz.
'We're building on a rich history here - Chick Corea, Tony Williams, Sonny Stitt, Serge Chaloff, Johnny Hodges and Roy Haynes are all local exports,' says Board member Fred Taylor, Entertainment Director of Scullers Jazz Club and Artistic Director of the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, who formerly ran the fabled Jazz Workshop and Paul's Mall. 'Besides great, influential musicians and famous venues, Boston has been at the cutting edge of jazz education for more than five decades. Many of the biggest names in the jazz world have taught or studied at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory.'
For updates on Jazz Week and other JazzBoston initiatives and additional information about the organization, visit www.jazzboston.org or contact Dawn Singh, Dawn Singh Publicity, 286 Beacon Street No 4, Boston, MA 02116, 857-544-0739.
