The Jazz Journalists Association has named its 2011 “Jazz Heroes”– activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz who have had significant impact in their local communities. These awards will be presented on June 11 in conjunction with the presentation of the 2011 JJA Jazz Awards honoring significant achievements in jazz music and journalism.
The JJA’s 2011 “Jazz Heroes” are:
- Omrao Brown— managing partner of Bohemian Caverns, who has helped stimulate new jazz activities in Washington, D.C.
- Peggy Cafritz— supporting founder of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.
- John Gilbreath— executive director of Earshot Jazz, Seattle.
- Dr. Maiterya Padukone— dentist affiliated with the Jazz Foundation of America, treating musicians in New York City.
- Don Z. Miller— jazz impresario of Arizona.
- Ed Reed— 82-year-old singer and substance abuse counselor, Richmond, California.
- Mike Reed— drummer, bandleader, music series and festival presenter, Chicago.
- Roger Spencer and Lori Mechem, directors of the Nashville Jazz Workshop, Nashville.
- Elynor Walcott and her sons, proprietors of Wally’s Jazz Café, longtime venue for youthful and emerging jazz in Boston.
Most of these new Jazz Heroes will receive their awards at local “satellite parties” held simultaneously with the JJA Jazz Awards gala in New York City on June 11. Details on the satellite parties will be available soon.
The Jazz Awards gala raises funds for JJA educational efforts and activities aimed at developing new audiences for jazz. These include the eyeJAZZ video training program, audience enrichment programs at jazz festivals and educational institutions, initiatives using social media to activate under-addressed segments of the potential jazz audience, establishment of online platforms for jazz journalists and planning/production of a profession-wide conference on jazz journalism scheduled for January 2012.
You can view the entire list of nominees for the 2010 JJA Jazz Awards, purchase tickets, and find more information about the Awards program at www.JJAJazzAwards.org. For further information, including sponsorship opportunities, program book ads and online display specs, contact President@JazzJournalists.org.
