BJA

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 430 members to date.
  • Hired part-time employee who has produced our monthly newsletter since December 2004, solicited member benefits, and prepares press releases.
  • Received a $1,500 start up grant from the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (BOPA).
  • Received continual support from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts for operating expenses.
  • Co-sponsored the Baltimore Jazz Composers' Showcase, attended by over 90 people, in October 2005
  • Received a $4,000 grant from the BOPA to sponsorthe Youth Jazz Congress at which six local high school bands performed in April 2006..
  • Issued a compilation CD, Baltimore Jazzscapes, featuring 14 Baltimore's jazz artists, July 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
  • 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
  • Developed Jazz for Kids, which has introduced hundreds of children and youth to musical instruments and jazz. Since 2006, our Jazz for Kids band has participated every year in Free Fall Baltimore, plus the following venues: Eubie Blake Cultural Center, Walters Art Museum, Reginald Lewis Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, three Baltimore City public schools and St. Francis Academy.
  • Published The Baltimore Real Book: Compositions by Baltimore Jazz Artists- 54 compositions by 18 BJA member artists. November 2007
  • Participated in Baltimore's Festival of Maps in spring 2008 exhibiting historic and current maps of Baltimore jazz venues. Exhibition sites included City Hall, Eubie Blake Center, two libraries, Reginald Lewis Museum and Baltimore Chamber Jazz Society.
  • From 2008 to 2010, sponsored BJA nights at Tremont Hotels.
  • September 2008 - Added the Jazz Calendar to our site.
  • Issued our second compilation CD, Baltimore Jazzscapes II, featuring 16 Baltimore's jazz artists, July 2009
  • Since 2008, awarded scholarships to students in Eubie Blake Center and Contemporary Arts' summer music programs and students from Frederick Douglass High School.
  • Sponsored seven performances by BJA members at Artscape 2010 (mainly with contributions by BJA members)
  • July 2010 presented Jazz for Kids at St. Francis Academy's summer camp
  • August 2010 purchased first media ads - 50,000 views on the Baltimore Sun on-line Music and Nightlife" page
  • Currently distribute 300+ newsletters monthly to various venues in and around Baltimore

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.
  • Attain 501(c)(3) status.
  • Develop better media support for our programs.

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.
  • Jazz for Kids will continue developing new audiences for jazz in the Baltimore area through its Musical Instrument "Petting Zoo" and "What is Jazz?" programs.