"JAZZ MATTERS"

Jazz Journalists Association to present a new series of discussions on jazz issues with New School University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program

(January 3, 2001- New York, NY) The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA), a professional organization of more than 300 writers, editors, photographers, broadcasters and new media pioneers, is inaugurating a new series, "Jazz Matters" with New School University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program. "Jazz Matters" is the theme, as well as the title of the four monthly, two-hour, public discussions -- moderated panel symposia -- to be held at New School University, Jazz Performance Space, 55 West 13^th Street, 5^th Floor, NYC, beginning Wednesday, January 24, 2001 from 6 — 8 PM. The series is free. For further information, contact (212) 229-5896.

The dates and topics of "Jazz Matters" include: Wednesday, January 24, 6-8 PM, "After Ken Burns’ Jazz"; Wednesday, February 21, 6 - 8 PM, "Critics Blindfold Test"; Wednesday, March 21, 6 - 8 PM, "Photographers in Jazz Journalism"; and Wednesday, April 25, from 6 - 8 PM, "Jazz Adventures in New Media."

Jazz Journalists Association members from the jazz press, TV, radio and cyberworld worlds have become adept at facilitating constructive discussion among diverse members of the jazz community, including educators and scholars, students and audiences, publishers, producers, presenters and musicians themselves. JJA programs in 2000 included the day-long "The Media and Jazz" at the Newport Jazz Festival; panels, readings in a five day national meeting at the San Francisco Jazz Festival, events in Monterey, Chicago, New Orleans and New York City, including the Fourth Annual JJA Jazz Awards presented last June at the Knitting Factory. The JJA is conducting four sessions at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) convention from January 10 - 13, 2001.

"Jazz Matters," will allow audience members the opportunity to hear authors and reporters, interviewers and producers speak on topics of practical, professional interest and engage in town-hall talk with intent to further the understanding, appreciation and evolution of the art of jazz. Howard Mandel, president of the Jazz Journalists Association, adjunct associate professor New York University, author of Future Jazz, and longtime contributor to Down Beat, Jazziz, The Wire, Musical America, and others, will moderate these sessions.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

"Jazz Matters"at New School University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program

Jazz Performance Space, 55 West 13^th Street, 5^th Floor, NYC

Wednesday, January 24, 6 — 8 PM "After Ken Burns' Jazz"

Bill Kirchner (editor, Oxford Companion to Jazz and New School University Jazz Program faculty member), Sherrie Tucker (Swing Shift: "All Girl Bands"), and authors of other recently published books on jazz venture beyond the scope of Ken Burns' 19-hour, 10 part PBS documentary which premieres January 8, with simultaneous VHS and DVD release and public school dissemination sponsored by General Motors Corporation.

Wednesday, February 21, 6 — 8 PM "Critics Blindfold Tests"

A panel of professional record reviewers drawn from JJA ranks play recently released CDs for each other's spontaneous identification and evaluation, during a semi-blindfold test in which audiences will discover how critics respond to music when they first hear it. No submissions from attendees, please, to avoid fisticuffs.

Wednesday, March 21, 6 — 8 PM "Photographers in Jazz Journalism"

Addressing the musicians who may be the subjects and models of their art, the JJA's photocentric members discuss the discipline and conditions of capturing images of jazz on film.

Wednesday, April 25, 6 - 8 PM "Jazz Adventures in New Media"

The JJA is proud of its Web site, www.jazzhouse.org, and its members have guided Allaboutjazz.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Bird Lives! (The Pariah), Jazz Corner, Jazz-e, Jazz Central Station, JazzWest, Sonicnet, other cyberstations galore. A panel discusses present practices, realities and fantasies of the jazz dot.com life, touching on intellectual property rights, artist production and distribution methods, worldwide networking, and multimedia production skills.

New School University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program takes an active role NYC’s jazz community and is pleased to host "Jazz Matters," a series of relevant discussions on jazz. The Jazz Program offers a B.F.A. degree program in Jazz Performance, and in Composing and Arranging. The faculty includes such renowned artists as Reggie Workman, Chico Hamilton, Buster Williams, Jimmy Owens, Benny Powell, Joanne Brackeen, and Jane Ira Bloom. Alumni of the program include many of today’s up-and-coming jazz artists — Larry Golding, Brad Mehldau, Roy Hargrove, Peter Bernstein, Virginia Mayhew, among others. Martin Mueller is the Executive Director of the Jazz Program.

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For further information on the Jazz Journalists Association, contact: Howard Mandel, President, (212) 533-9495. For further information on New School University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program, contact (212) 229-5896.