To support musicians and audiences whose performances have been cancelled — in reaction to the broad, advisable and we hope temporary suspension of normal public gatherings, the JJA launches
“Jazz On Lockdown: Hear It Here” — posts curated by jazz journalists internationally, representing local concerts that didn’t happen with embedded representations of the musicians, and methods to support those losing gig income.
The goal is to expose music by artists across all borders to foil the coronavirus, to lose not a note, to support the visibility of jazz and the enjoyment it offers transcending containment measures. — Howard Mandel, JJA president
Anyone may submit a prepared blog post for publication in this series. A JazzonLockdown post must have 1) url of already uploaded video of jazz artists whose gigs have been cancelled; 2) artists’ names 3) where and when they were to have performed; 4) how to support the musicians financially (url to website, Bandcamp posts, etc.), Send html as an attachment to JazzOnLockdown@JazzJournalists.org
Jazz on Lockdown starts with this post and a second by Madrid-based JJA member Mirian Arbalejo, who, like her neighbors, opens her windows nightly at 10 p.m. to sing praises to her city’s healthcare workers.
She has reported that the first jazz musician to have died of coronavirus is Argentine-born, Spanish-residing saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger Marcelo Peralta (3/5/1961 – 3/10/2020), seen and heard here on baritone saxophone in saxophone quartet “tango de Cobián y Cadicamo” – arranged by Jorge Pitari — with Marcelo Terze, alto sax; Mariana Potenza, alto sax; Roberto Rioja, tenor sax.
“Other platforms from different countries will also contribute to this space, representing those concerts that will not be heard due to the containment measures taken in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic. My priority today is concerts cancelled in Madrid.
“And to dedicate space to the eclectic, versatile Marcelo Peralta. My support and my sorrow to friends, family, colleagues and fans.
(His debut album, Milanga is available on Amazon from third-party sellers).
“In the five days since I first posted this text on my website MissingDuke.com, many other communities have set down the same road as the Spanish musicians. We all face the challenge now: clubs, listeners, musicians. We know well that economic impact is inevitable, but we believe that in this extraordinary situation, individuals need — perhaps even more than ever — to continue creating, to continue listening.
Yes, we stay at home, but connected, to people and also to possibilities. We lose the veracity of the live show but we can win as a community.
The Show Must Go On! Cheer up, everyone. — Mirian Arbalejo
