The JJA’s “New Media for New Jazz” conference got off to a quick and productive start on Friday and Saturday with a well-attended panel introducing eyeJAZZ.tv, a lively cocktail party, interesting session on “The New Feature: Long Form Journalism Now” and a very well attended, lively and engaging discussion of the “State of Jazz Journalism Now and Immediate Prospects.” Further JJA work sessions on Sunday at 2 pm and Monday at 3 pm (all at the Sheraton New York, 811 7th Ave. at 53rd St., New York City in the underground level Conference Room C) seek to bring presenters, musicians and publicists as well as journalists together to talk about issues of access, rights, social network and video coverage. There is no fee for attendance at these events, and all comers are welcome though space is somewhat limited (the conference room holds 50 people comfortably). Tweets from the conference can be read and/or posted at the hashtag #jjaconf.
Reports to be posted soon by JJA members will detail some of the events and participants’ statements; attempts to record as audio or video have been semi-successful, but such documentation as there is will be made available to JJA members in formats yet-to-be-determined.
The Jazz Education Network’s New Orleans convention is being blogged about by bassist Ratso Harris at http://www.newmusicbox.org/chatter.nmbx — a report by JJA member Fred Bouchard is also forthcoming.
[Update: Hank Shteamer has penned an interesting comment regarding the January 8 town hall discussion, under the headline “I am not a jazz journalist.” And I’ve posted a reply in his comments field. – David R. Adler]
[Update 2: JJA President Howard Mandel on why the JJA is a “Jazz” Journalists Association.]
