JAM: April/May 2004 Issue: MEAF Vs. Coda

The Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund
Vs. The Coda Jazz Fund

What to do with too much money

On May 15, the Gem Theater will host the Kansas City Star's Third Annual Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert. Vocalist Oleta Adams will headline the event.

When the performance is over, the fund, which is designed to pay burial expenses of local career jazz musicians, will have met its goal of $120,000.

That's a lot of funerals.

Likewise, the Jazz Ambassadors' Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund—with $12,000--waits patiently for someone to call needing help with rent, utilities, or medical bills.

Sort of like the Maytag repairman.

So where have all the starving jazz artists gone?

“I think it's a stigma thing,” says Jazz Ambassador President and fellow musician Hal Melia. “These people don't want others to know that they are having trouble.”

Which is precisely why the funds were begun.

“I started going to funerals as a general reporter for the Star ,” explains Coda founder Steve Penn. “Everyone was passing the hat to pay for musicians' funerals. That's embarrassing for musicians of note.”

“There was no dignity,” he says. “No dignity at all.”

As a result, Penn, with the support of the Kansas City Star , founded the Coda Jazz Fund three years ago.

For the same reason, the Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund (MEAF) began 12 years ago.

Former Star columnist Art Brisbane was aghast when one day he found Step Buddy Anderson performing in the streets of Westport in order to pay for his rent. He discovered that the trumpeter had performed with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstein. He wrote an article that not only described the disgrace, but challenged the community.

The Jazz Ambassadors, along with club owner Jack DiBenedetto, held a fundraiser in honor of Anderson . About $700 was raised and went toward getting Anderson 's piano out of hock and having it tuned.

Eventually, Anderson went back to the streets of Westport . “I think while Art Brisbane found it disgraceful, Step-Buddy didn't find it disgraceful at all,” laughs one of MEAF's founders, former Jazz Ambassador President Mary Ellen Farney. “He actually enjoyed performing for those young people.”

Nevertheless, the Jazz Ambassadors continued to hold MEAF fundraisers in honor of musicians and, eventually , just in honor of the cause itself. Musicians such as Kevin Mahogany, Diana “Mama” Ray and Pat Morrissey jumped on the bandwagon and held their own fundraisers for MEAF.

By 2001, over $20,000 had been paid out for musician assistance.

“Most of our funds were going for funeral expenses,” recalls Farney.

It was at that time that Coda began.

“Coda freed us up to take care of medical expenses, rent and utilities,” says Farney.

The Star was exceptional at raising money for burial expenses. In three years, $87,000 was raised. But in that time, requests for help were few and far between.

“It's had some usage over the past couple years,” says Penn. “A few thousand here and a few thousand there.”

As a result, Coda has searched for other ways to utilize the funds. They have replaced gravestone markers for some jazz musicians, some of whom had none.

And they've looked at plans to replace the Charlie Parker gravestone which features a tenor sax on the marker. Parker played an alto saxophone.

“We do plan to segue into something else,” says Penn. “Our mission will change.”

He mentions youth jazz education, scholarships , or financial planning seminars for musicians.

The Jazz Ambassadors, too, have tossed around ideas, such as scholarships or medical subsidies, in order to further utilize the fund. After years of racing to keep up with the demand, the past few years have resulted in only one or two recipients.

One thing seems certain for the direction of the funds—the support will be there.

“People care deeply about our jazz musicians,” says Penn. “It tugs at your heartstrings.”

The Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert will be held May 15, 7:30 pm , at the Gem Theater. For more information, call 816-474-8463 or go to www.codajazzfund.org

For more information on MEAF or the Jazz Ambassadors, call 913-967-6767 or go to www.jazzkc.

--Kathy Feist Vescovi






	Search our site:		The Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund Vs. The Coda Jazz Fund *What to do with too much money* On May 15, the Gem Theater will host the Kansas City Star's Third Annual Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert. Vocalist Oleta Adams will headline the event. When the performance is over, the fund, which is designed to pay burial expenses of local career jazz musicians, will have met its goal of $120,000. That's a lot of funerals. Likewise, the Jazz Ambassadors' Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund—with $12,000--waits patiently for someone to call needing help with rent, utilities, or medical bills. Sort of like the Maytag repairman. So where have all the starving jazz artists gone? “I think it's a stigma thing,” says Jazz Ambassador President and fellow musician Hal Melia. “These people don't want others to know that they are having trouble.” Which is precisely why the funds were begun. “I started going to funerals as a general reporter for the Star ,” explains Coda founder Steve Penn. “Everyone was passing the hat to pay for musicians' funerals. That's embarrassing for musicians of note.” “There was no dignity,” he says. “No dignity at all.” As a result, Penn, with the support of the Kansas City Star , founded the Coda Jazz Fund three years ago. For the same reason, the Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund (MEAF) began 12 years ago. Former Star columnist Art Brisbane was aghast when one day he found Step Buddy Anderson performing in the streets of Westport in order to pay for his rent. He discovered that the trumpeter had performed with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstein. He wrote an article that not only described the disgrace, but challenged the community. The Jazz Ambassadors, along with club owner Jack DiBenedetto, held a fundraiser in honor of Anderson . About $700 was raised and went toward getting Anderson 's piano out of hock and having it tuned. Eventually, Anderson went back to the streets of Westport . “I think while Art Brisbane found it disgraceful, Step-Buddy didn't find it disgraceful at all,” laughs one of MEAF's founders, former Jazz Ambassador President Mary Ellen Farney. “He actually enjoyed performing for those young people.” Nevertheless, the Jazz Ambassadors continued to hold MEAF fundraisers in honor of musicians and, eventually , just in honor of the cause itself. Musicians such as Kevin Mahogany, Diana “Mama” Ray and Pat Morrissey jumped on the bandwagon and held their own fundraisers for MEAF. By 2001, over $20,000 had been paid out for musician assistance. “Most of our funds were going for funeral expenses,” recalls Farney. It was at that time that Coda began. “Coda freed us up to take care of medical expenses, rent and utilities,” says Farney. The Star was exceptional at raising money for burial expenses. In three years, $87,000 was raised. But in that time, requests for help were few and far between. “It's had some usage over the past couple years,” says Penn. “A few thousand here and a few thousand there.” As a result, Coda has searched for other ways to utilize the funds. They have replaced gravestone markers for some jazz musicians, some of whom had none. And they've looked at plans to replace the Charlie Parker gravestone which features a tenor sax on the marker. Parker played an alto saxophone. “We do plan to segue into something else,” says Penn. “Our mission will change.” He mentions youth jazz education, scholarships , or financial planning seminars for musicians. The Jazz Ambassadors, too, have tossed around ideas, such as scholarships or medical subsidies, in order to further utilize the fund. After years of racing to keep up with the demand, the past few years have resulted in only one or two recipients. One thing seems certain for the direction of the funds—the support will be there. “People care deeply about our jazz musicians,” says Penn. “It tugs at your heartstrings.” The Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert will be held May 15, 7:30 pm , at the Gem Theater. For more information, call 816-474-8463 or go to www.codajazzfund.org For more information on MEAF or the Jazz Ambassadors, call 913-967-6767 or go to www.jazzkc. --Kathy Feist Vescovi RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2004 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.