JAM Magazine: December/January 1998 Issue: President's Corner

by Vanessa Barnard

THE POLITICS OF JAZZ
In October, many of you read in The Kansas City Star about the disagreement between the Jazz Ambassadors and the 18th & Vine Authority over ownership of the Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl. It was the first time since I've been president of the Jazz Ambassadors that the organization has been thrust into the "political" limelight.

The Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors is a group that's used to working behind the scenes. In fact, a lot of people in Kansas City (even some musicians, I suspect), don't even know we exist. But, because of recent events, we have "come out of the shadows," so to speak. Willing or not.

Maybe this is a good thing. Maybe we can do more good by being more vocal about some of the issues that affect the future of jazz in Kansas City. Do people know who we are and why we do what we do? Maybe more will now.

The Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl is the best example of the mission of the Jazz Ambassadors. It's an event that promotes jazz, the clubs and the musicians. It also provides the KCJA with a way to donate to other organizations that carry on the tradition year round. I won't go into detail about the dispute with the 18th & Vine Authority, except to say that things have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction. The name "Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl" belongs to the Jazz Ambassadors, and we look forward to working with 18th & Vine on future endeavors. The new Jazz Museum and GEM Theater have our full support, and we have theirs with the Pub Crawl. So, now, hopefully we can all work together, and everyone will benefit as a result.

Pub Crawl donations for 1997 were awarded at October's monthly meeting at the Blue Room. Several notable causes and venues were this year's recipients. The donations were as follows:

$1,500 to the Kansas City International Jazz Festival
$1,000 to the 18th & Vine Authority
$1,000 to the 18th & Vine Heritage Jazz Festival
$1,000 to the GEM Theater
$1,000 to the Folly Theater
$1,000 to the UMKC Jazz Scholarship Fund
$500 to the Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival
$500 to the Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund (MEAF)

A total of $7,500 was donated to help keep jazz alive in Kansas City.

Again, despite the political battles, this is why we do what we do. And, if it takes coming out of the shadows to further develop this organization, we'll do that, too.

The Jazz Ambassadors have been asked to join forces with the Blues Society to assist with the Mayfield Towns Benefit, held in May of each year. This year will be the fourth annual benefit. Mayfield Towns started the BWB Band. He was also a music teacher in the Kansas City School District. Mayfield passed away four years ago and his wife Barbara and the Blues Society soon formed an organization that donates used musical instruments to school children who perhaps cannot afford one without assistance. The organization also holds clinics in area school districts and has formed an all-star band comprised of area students. The annual benefit helps raise funds to continue these projects. When an instrument is donated, it may also be in need of repairs, in which case services are donated by various experts. However, there are still expenses generated by instrument parts as well as the clinics. So, we would like to see a committee comprised of Jazz Ambassadors to help out. There is also the need for jazz musicians who are willing to assist with the clinics.

For those of you who may have an old instrument gathering dust, please consider donating it to this worthy cause. Who knows, that donation could end up being the instrument of the next Charlie Parker. If you would like to volunteer your time on the committee or as a musician, or if you would like to donate an instrument, please contact me at (816) 531-7145. I will then get you in touch with the right people.

A final note at the end of the year. I would like to thank all the Jazz Ambassadors -- most importantly the members of the board -- who have made this year a little easier for me as president. Also, a special thank you to those who worked so hard at all of the volunteer events this summer. Mike Metheny, the editor of this magazine, deserves kudos, too. The magazine has never looked better. JAM may be a little more controversial of late (at least to some people's tastes), but it has also caused people to think -- which is always a good thing, whether you agree or disagree with what you read.

I personally feel that this organization has some of the most selfless people in the world, people who give of their time and want nothing in return. It all helps me to continue doing what I love to do.

So, thanks to you all.

And peace in the coming year.

RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		by Vanessa Barnard THE POLITICS OF JAZZ In October, many of you read in The Kansas City Star about the disagreement between the Jazz Ambassadors and the 18th & Vine Authority over ownership of the Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl. It was the first time since I've been president of the Jazz Ambassadors that the organization has been thrust into the "political" limelight. The Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors is a group that's used to working behind the scenes. In fact, a lot of people in Kansas City (even some musicians, I suspect), don't even know we exist. But, because of recent events, we have "come out of the shadows," so to speak. Willing or not. Maybe this is a good thing. Maybe we can do more good by being more vocal about some of the issues that affect the future of jazz in Kansas City. Do people know who we are and why we do what we do? Maybe more will now. The Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl is the best example of the mission of the Jazz Ambassadors. It's an event that promotes jazz, the clubs and the musicians. It also provides the KCJA with a way to donate to other organizations that carry on the tradition year round. I won't go into detail about the dispute with the 18th & Vine Authority, except to say that things have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction. The name "Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl" belongs to the Jazz Ambassadors, and we look forward to working with 18th & Vine on future endeavors. The new Jazz Museum and GEM Theater have our full support, and we have theirs with the Pub Crawl. So, now, hopefully we can all work together, and everyone will benefit as a result. Pub Crawl donations for 1997 were awarded at October's monthly meeting at the Blue Room. Several notable causes and venues were this year's recipients. The donations were as follows: $1,500 to the Kansas City International Jazz Festival $1,000 to the 18th & Vine Authority $1,000 to the 18th & Vine Heritage Jazz Festival $1,000 to the GEM Theater $1,000 to the Folly Theater $1,000 to the UMKC Jazz Scholarship Fund $500 to the Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival $500 to the Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund (MEAF) A total of $7,500 was donated to help keep jazz alive in Kansas City. Again, despite the political battles, this is why we do what we do. And, if it takes coming out of the shadows to further develop this organization, we'll do that, too. The Jazz Ambassadors have been asked to join forces with the Blues Society to assist with the Mayfield Towns Benefit, held in May of each year. This year will be the fourth annual benefit. Mayfield Towns started the BWB Band. He was also a music teacher in the Kansas City School District. Mayfield passed away four years ago and his wife Barbara and the Blues Society soon formed an organization that donates used musical instruments to school children who perhaps cannot afford one without assistance. The organization also holds clinics in area school districts and has formed an all-star band comprised of area students. The annual benefit helps raise funds to continue these projects. When an instrument is donated, it may also be in need of repairs, in which case services are donated by various experts. However, there are still expenses generated by instrument parts as well as the clinics. So, we would like to see a committee comprised of Jazz Ambassadors to help out. There is also the need for jazz musicians who are willing to assist with the clinics. For those of you who may have an old instrument gathering dust, please consider donating it to this worthy cause. Who knows, that donation could end up being the instrument of the next Charlie Parker. If you would like to volunteer your time on the committee or as a musician, or if you would like to donate an instrument, please contact me at (816) 531-7145. I will then get you in touch with the right people. A final note at the end of the year. I would like to thank all the Jazz Ambassadors -- most importantly the members of the board -- who have made this year a little easier for me as president. Also, a special thank you to those who worked so hard at all of the volunteer events this summer. Mike Metheny, the editor of this magazine, deserves kudos, too. The magazine has never looked better. JAM may be a little more controversial of late (at least to some people's tastes), but it has also caused people to think -- which is always a good thing, whether you agree or disagree with what you read. I personally feel that this organization has some of the most selfless people in the world, people who give of their time and want nothing in return. It all helps me to continue doing what I love to do. So, thanks to you all. And peace in the coming year. RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.