Coming to the close of a busy year, the JJA has posted the 12th of The Buzz, a podcast with
Willard Jenkins (JJA co-founder, WPFW program host, DC Jazz Festival artistic director, ) interviewed about his book Ain’t But a Few of Us by board member Susan Brink; scheduled its seventh “Seeing Jazz” photography master class for December 10 with veteran reporter-photographer-blogger Ken Franckling hosted by Hrayr Attarian (register here), and has invited JJA members to post their year-end Best of Lists, with an eye towards the 28th annual JJA Jazz Awards, coming in April 2023. All activities align with the JJA’s drive to encourage new members and more jazz journalism.
Besides the podcast, instituted by a JJA committee headed by board member Rick Mitchell, and the Seeing Jazz sessions, posted after-the-fact at the JJA’s YouTube channel, in 2022 the JJA held an award-celebrating Jazz Bash! at the unique platform SyncSpace.live, which was also the site of a members-only meeting to discuss the year’s best recordings, hosted by board member Neil Tesser. (Other JJA board members are Bob Blumenthal, Andy Gilbert, Terri Hinte, Carolyn McClair and Don Palmer).
Unfortunately and unexpectedly, that platform is being closed by its provider; the JJA and SyncSpace principal Adrian Cho are investigating new options for immersive, interactive web programs.
The JJA, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit advancing the interests of journalists covering jazz, established during meetings held in 1986 and incorporated in 2004, has thrived throughout 2022. Active membership is currently 225, comprising an international cast of writers, broadcasters, photographers, videographers, film-makers, bloggers and new media professionals, as well as student and industry associate members. New members are sought in all categories.
Refreshed organizational graphics, a high profile public relations campaign, a devoted book committee (chaired by board member Blumenthal) pre-screening Book of the Year nominees, a remixed cache of historic performance videos from past JJA Awards parties, more reports on JJANews.org from outside the U.S. and a survey of unaffiliated jazz journalists (being conducted by Michael Ambrosino) represent the energy of a unique professional organization, network in person as well as across social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
“We see a surge of interest in jazz, new developments in media, and the JJA is intent on keeping up,” said Howard Mandel, JJA president. “Traditional media persists, but the past three years have demonstrated the greater reach on online programming, which we demonstrated during the Jazz Bash! by featuring five live performances from five different cities, as well as convening panelists and some 250 attendees from diverse locations. We’re eager to figure out how to present our members and their work in fresh formats, going forward.”
A membership organization, the JJA is funded largely by dues, although generous sponsorship of its annual Jazz Heroes and Jazz Awards initiatives has been provided by entities including Entertainment Cruise Productions, Berklee School of Music, the Joyce and George Wein Foundation, the Jazz Foundation of America, SFJazz, Stanford Jazz Workshop, San Jose Jazz, Kuumbwa Jazz Workshop and the Monterey Jazz Festival, Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory, Blue Note Records, Mack Avenue Music Group, Delmark Records, Pi Recordings, Arkadia Records, High Note/Savant Records, Century Media Partners LLC, Carolyn McClair Public Relations, Braithwaite and Katz Communication, Jazz Promo Services, and Sue Auclair Productions.
The JJA accepts donations to continue and enhance its programs. For further information about the JJA, email Howard Mandel, President@JazzJournalists.org.
