About the Baltimore Jazz Alliance
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
Some of the things we've accomplished:
- Incorporated June 22, 2004.
- Formed a Steering Committee composed of a diverse section of the Baltimore Jazz Community
- Enrolled 147 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 $1,500 grant from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
- Co-sponsored the Baltimore Jazz Composers' Forum
- 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 featuring many of Baltimore's jazz artists
- 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
- Repeated "Pre-Cool" jazz on 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 July 2007
- Presented Jazz for Kids - an introduction to jazz for elementary school children. Attended by 261 kids and adults in October 2007
- Published The Baltimore Real Book: Compositions by Baltimore Jazz Artists- over 50 jazz compositions by BJA member artists. November 2007
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 .
- Add a jazz calendar to our website.