On 31st July I posted “Promoting Jazz via Jazz&Jazz.com and it’s Associated Websites”. The subhead read “JAZZ&JAZZ: Helping Keep Jazz Live and Alive!”

I added “Please watch out for an announcement soon on another Jazz&Jazz Campaign to achieve these goals.” 

This is that announcement
There is the flawed belief that Jazz is past its sell by date. A fan recently commented, “The vast majority of those who go to Jazz Festivals are mostly OAPs on limited finances. So it’s fair to say that the vast majority of those visiting festivals throughout the country tend to be very selective and want best value for money. I am afraid festivals and clubs will struggle to survive as the number of Jazz supporters dwindle year on year”.

Jazz&Jazz persistently contests this belief by featuring new bands, young bands hitting the jazz circuits – in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Struggling Clubs
The editorial in the August issue of Just Jazz Magazine addressed the “mixed reports as to how our jazz clubs are faring”. Jazz&Jazz features various clubs, some struggling, others successful.

I recently exchanged views with a band leader based on the Continent. He tours clubs in the UK annually but tells me that the drop in attendances is noticeable.

A musician recently commented to me: “maybe there are too many weekly clubs and Jazz weekends, and people simply cannot afford to attend all, so obviously are becoming more selective. Whereas on the continent, most clubs are monthly or in some cases, even three monthly, thus being a lot easier on peoples’ pockets, and also because they are not so frequent, they get better bands. Then, of course, the ‘cherry pickers’ descend, as they do – ‘don’t like that – too modern bla bla.’ But the Modernists seem to be more tolerant than the Traditionalists.”

Another prominent issue frequently aired is the seeming impossibility of organising UK tours for top rate overseas younger bands.

So where am I heading with this?
Due the success of Jazz&Jazz and my Social Media support sites, pressure on my time and finances is becoming stretched. It’s not just keeping the site up to date but expectations for me to continue promoting gigs, festivals, clubs and events to maximum effect and to film them for my YouTubes.

As Jazz&Jazz coverage increases incrementally in quality as well as quantity so do costs – travel, photography, equipment, videos, subscriptions, booking and ticket prices.

The Indiegogo Fund Raiser Approach
Although I state on Jazz&Jazz that I would welcome contributions towards my costs I’m not keen on this approach.

So I am exploring the potential of an Indiegogo Fund Raiser, specifically for music, to support and help expand the aims and outreach of Jazz&Jazz.

I would very much appreciate your views and opinions on an Indiegogo Fund Raiser as a way forward. Especially as one of the keys to Indiegogo success is to lobby up front support.

If this route proves successful, besides supporting Jazz&Jazz, it could result in sufficient funds to help finance specific jazz ventures – perhaps even tours and brand new festivals dedicated to young jazz bands and musicians.

Another massive plus is that an Indiegogo Fund Raiser would reach way beyond the jazz community, helping to publicise jazz far and wide.

I would appreciate your views on this in “Speak Your Mind” below or email me: [email protected]

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

PS I have spoken to a friend who has successfully used Indiegogo. He has taken a look at Jazz&Jazz.com and considers it good for a fundraiser.

“JAZZ&JAZZ: Helping Keep Jazz Live and Alive!”

Continuing Gary Wood’s Swing Band Presentation and slide show featuring the influence of the African/American tradition on Jazz.

Part 11

Thad Jones: “A Child Is Born”

View the complete set:
Gary Wood’s “Jazz Meets Gospel” Compilation: Parts 1 to12

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Joey Alexander

Thanks go to my good jazz friend Philippe Briand for alerting me to Joey Alexander from Bali, Indonesia, just 12 years old and already a jazz prodigy.

 “A look at Joey’s site will give you the lowdown on his burgeoning career. To sum it up, Joey was born on June 6th 2003 in Denpasar, on the east coast of Bali, Indonesia. He has just turned 12, but in most of his Youtube videos, he is only 10 or 11. It all began at age 6, when his dad bought him a colour code piano (the Rainbow Method). Joey immediately began to pick out by ear tunes from his parents CD collection. His father remembers : “one day when I came home from work, he was playing some complex jazz melodies.”

In an interview from June 6th 2005 at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Joey explains : “my parents introduced me to jazz, especially my dad. He and I always listen together. Louis Armstrong, Harry Connick Jr, and Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk of course, were my main influences and I listen to them, up to Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter of course, Herbie Hancock, I listen to all of them. I like gospel especially, Aretha Franklin, also I like pop, I like the soul musicians like James Brown, Michael Jackson and also the Beatles.”

“Joey Alexander is a jazz pianist from Indonesia and is considered a child prodigy. He released his first album, “My Favorite Things”, on May 12, 2015, at age 11”. (Wikipedia) 

For the full story, over to Philippe’s and other relevant websites:

http://lajazzitudedepapamuttcarhaix.hautetfort.com/joey-alexander-pianist-cilik.html

http://joeyalexandermusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/JoeyAlexanderMusic

http://www.telegraph.co.uk: The 11 Year Old Taking Jazz The Jazz World By Storm

“It’s hard to comprehend … a whole new thing!” (Larry Grenadier)

“There’s no way to prepare you for what you are going to experience … until you actually see it happen!” (Jason Olaine)

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

Laurence Cumming (photo by Peter M. Butler)

Introducing my good friend and colleague, Laurence Cumming, Photographer Supreme, who has faithfully assisted me in covering events for Jazz&Jazz ever since I first met him at The 100 Club several years ago.

Since I have been capturing events for YouTubes, Laurence has ensured Jazz&Jazz is not lacking for high class photographs at major events such as the annual Covent Garden Rent Collecting Ceremony.

The photo of him above is a still captured from one of my videos as we caught a fleeting sight of each other pursuing the Marching Band en route around Covent Garden on Thursday, 18th June this year.

The following random montage of photographs were all taken by Laurence

Evening Concert in The Courtyard

John Keen, John Wacher, Digby Fairweather, Chris Hodgkins & Dave Gelly

Dave Gelly, Julian Marc Stringle & Eric Gilchrist

Emile Martyn

Chris Hodgkins

Concert in The Courtyard from the balcony.

Tina Garrett, Vice Chairman, Covent Garden Area Trust

Tim Wacher Leader of The Marching Band

Colin Graham – a Touch of Brass

Tim on Trombone

Focus on Digby

Alan Bradley and friend.

Trumpets to the Fore!

Still en route!

John Wacher

Laurence captures me capturing the band on my magic lens for YouTubes.

My good friends Maureen and Ron had a great day out!

Presented by Peter M Butler Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz
with grateful thanks to Photographer Laurence Cumming

The Marching  Band included:

Trumpets/Cornets:
Digby Fairweather,
John Keen, Chris Hodgkins
and John Wacher.
Reeds: Julian Mark Stringle, Eric Gilchrist,
and Dave Gelly.
Trombones: Chris Gower, Phil Brown
and Tim Wacher.
Banjo: Alan Bradley.
Sousaphone: Colin Graham.
Drums: Don Cook and Emile and Ben Martyn.

For the full Jazz&Jazz Feature on the event visit:

The Covent Garden Marching Band Fine Tunes and Joyous Rent Collecting!