The Jazz Journalists Association has named eight new members to its “A Team” of “Activists, Advocates, Altruists, Aiders and Abettors of Jazz,” along with five “JJA Jazz Heroes,” who have done exceptional work to support jazz at the local level. The new A Team and Jazz Heroes will be honored at the June 14 JJA Jazz Awards gala in New York City and at satellite parties held simultaneously around the country.
The Jazz Journalists Association announces:
JJA Jazz Awards 2010 A Team
Activists, Advocates, Altruists, Aiders and Abettors of Jazz
whose works have had far-reaching consequences
— Eric Overmyer and David Simon, producers and creators of the HBO television series Treme
— Sue Mingus, director of Charles Mingus repertory ensembles, record producer and author (Tonight At Noon)
— James Jordan, retired director of the Music Program at the New York State Council on the Arts, adviser/producer for Ornette Coleman
— Virginia Wicks, pioneering jazz publicist
— John Norris (posthumously) and Bill Smith, co-founders of Coda magazine, the Jazz and Blues Centre of Toronto and Sackville Records
— Yvonne Ervin, executive director of the Western Jazz Presenters Network, vice president of the Jazz Journalists Association, former executive director of the Tucson Jazz Society, consultant to the National Jazz Service Organization, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Kennedy Center for the Arts
JJA Jazz Heroes
A new category of honors bestowed at the discretion of the Board of the JJA, for local activism in support of jazz musicians, audience development, education and journalism
— Jazz Hero, Bay Area: Khalil Shaheed, trumpeter; founder of the Oaktown Jazz Workshop, advisor to San Francisco Symphony’s Aim Program, Stanford Jazz Workshop and the San Jose Jazz Society
— Jazz Hero, Boston: Fred Taylor, entertainment director Scullers Jazz Club, board member Jazz Boston, former Artistic Director of the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, past manager of the Jazz Workshop and Paul’s Mall, talent scout
— Jazz Hero, Chicago: Geraldine de Haas, organizer of Jazzfest at the South Shore Cultural Center, founder of Jazz Unites, Inc., organizer and educator
— Jazz Hero, Chicago: Joe Segal, owner/operator of the Jazz Showcase
— Jazz Hero, New Orleans: Jordan Hirsch, outgoing director of Sweet Home New Orleans
