The Baltimore Jazz Alliance (BJA) is a grass-roots organization of jazz aficionados, musicians, and venues that has come together to address a lack of promotion for jazz in Baltimore and the surrounding areas.  New members sharing this passion are always welcome as the BJA continues its efforts to build a stronger and better networked jazz scene.  Together we believe we can help this music thrive in the region to reward listeners and musicians alike.

Our mission Statement:
To better serve artists and audiences by elevating the role of jazz in the Baltimore region.

Our Priorities:
1. To develop new audiences for jazz
2. To strengthen communication within the jazz community
3. To improve media relations on behalf of the jazz community
4. To bring greater visibility to the entire array of jazz offerings in the Baltimore region
5. To provide greater access to performance opportunities for Baltimore-area jazz musicians

• Established baltimorejazz.com website in October 2001
• Incorporated June 22, 2004.
• Formed a Steering Committee composed of a diverse section of the Baltimore Jazz Community
• Enrolled 258 members to date.
• Hired our first employee who has produced a monthly newsletter since December 2004, solicited member benefits, and prepares press releases.
• Received a $1,500 grant through the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance
• Received a $2,800 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
• Received a $500 grant from Ferris Baker Watts
• Received a $700 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
• Received a $1,000 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
• Received a $1,300 from the Walters Art Museum to produce Jazz for Kids
• Received a $1,000 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
• Received a $2,400 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
• Received a $1,800 grant from the Baltimore Community Foundation for the Maps Project
• Received a $625 grant from the Puffin Foundation
• Received a $2,000 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
• Received a $1,600 from the Smithsonian to produce Jazz of Kids
• Received a $2,000 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
• Co-sponsored the Baltimore Jazz Composers' Forum with the Baltimore Composers Forum under a grant from MD State Arts Council
• Received a $4,000 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts for the Youth Jazz Congress
• Presented the Youth Jazz Congress on April 20th and 26th, 2006 featuring six high school jazz bands.
• Issued a compilation CD, Baltimore Jazzscapes, featuring 14 of Baltimore's jazz artists in October 2006
• Received a $2,800 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts to produce "Pre-Cool" jazz
• Produced "Pre-Cool" jazz. Over 50 kids had a fabulous experience. Was held at the Eubie Blake Center on November 10-12, 2006
• Presented a musical insturment "petting zoo" February 24, 2007 at the Walters Art Museum
• Hosted a Forum on The Business of Jazz in Baltimore on June 3, 2007
• Hosted a BJA booth at Artscape in every year since 2004
• In spring, 2008, we participated in Baltimore's Festival of Maps with maps of current and historic jazz venues exhibited at two libraries, City Hall, Chamber Jazz Society, Reginald Lewis Museum and the Eubie Blake Cultural Center
• Presented Jazz for Kids - an introduction to jazz for elementary school children. Attended by 261 kids and adults in October 2007 and 202 kids and adults in October 2008 as part of Free Fall Baltimore.
• In October, 2008, under a grant from the Puffin Foundation, our Jazz for Kids band presented to all 265 students at Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School.
• Published The Baltimore Real Book: Compositions by Baltimore Jazz Artists- over 50 jazz compositions by BJA member artists. November 2007
• Beginning in Spring of of 2008, sponsored BJA night at the Tremont Hotel
• Sponsored EIGHT Baltimore area jazz groups for Artscape 2008, July 17th -19th. The most EVER in recent memory.
• September 2008 - Added theJazz Calendar to our site.

Our Immediate Goals:

• Increase membership
• Continue to produce a monthly newsletter, both electronic and print versions for Citywide distribution.
• Contact retailers, promoters, producers, clubs, and service establishments to provide for special benefits for BJA members.
• To identify resources to aid us in growing as a viable and influential organization.
• Apply for grant funding.

Upcoming Events and Longer Term Goals:

• As part of Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts' "Free Fall Baltimore" program, BJA will continue to sponsor Pre-Cool Jazz, a series of activities for very young children and their families.  We're talking about pre-schoolers and kindergarteners!  First, a "musical instrument petting zoo," where five jazz musicians - piano, bass, drums, brass and woodwinds - will introduce their instruments to the children in a hands-on experience.  Next, the children will make their own instruments.  Finally, the musicians will present a Family Jazz Concert.
• Help in producing jazz events
• Increase media attention to jazz events in Baltimore
• Sponsor workshops and master classes.
• Support educational programs relating to jazz in general .