JAZZ STANDARD Starts Donating Ticket Proceeds to Jazz Foundation of America
New York, NY (For Release 9.24.14) — JAZZ STANDARD, one of the world’s premier jazz clubs, today announced its charitable giving plan to contribute proceeds from online ticket sales beginning October 1st to the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA). The selected non-profit organization benefits from the club’s ticket sales’ donations, direct donations by audience members, and heightened visibility for their organization.
Seth Abramson, Artistic Director of JAZZ STANDARD, said the club is pleased to support the JFA. “ The Jazz Foundation of America provides such a vital service to the jazz and blues musicians within our immediate community and beyond. They have been very impactful through their tireless commitment to helping others. We share in this strong commitment to the musicians both on the stage and off the stage through this meaningful partnership.”
“We are honored and humbled to be partnering with JFA in support of their lifesaving work,” said Mark Maynard-Parisi, Senior Manager Partner of Blue Smoke Enterprises. “This new program gives us yet another opportunity to give back to the artists who have enriched the world through their music.”
For 25 years, the JFA has been the only national organization dedicated to saving the homes and lives of elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis—musicians who have made our world richer through their music. JFA provides artists with emergency assistance, medical care, housing, and work opportunities. Congruent with JAZZ STANDARD’s long-standing dedication to jazz education, the JFA also brings music to schools through its Agnes Varis Jazz in the Schools program.
“The success of clubs and the well-being of musicians should always go hand in hand,” said Wendy Oxenhorn, Vice Chairman of the JFA. “Thanks to our partnership with JAZZ STANDARD, this is happening in the most beautiful way.”
JAZZ STANDARD has a long philanthropic history. Since the club’s inception in 2002, the club has been dedicated to fostering enthusiasm for jazz through its two community-centric youth education programs. The Jazz Standard Discovery Program has hosted on-site, weekly lunchtime jazz workshops for thousands of New York City public school students. In addition, JAZZ STANDARD is home to the 25+ member Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra and its free, weekly Jazz for Kids performance.
“JAZZ STANDARD is committed to extending caring hospitality beyond the walls of our club and into our communities,” said Abramson. “Ever since we built JAZZ STANDARD, we’ve prioritized positive social impact to not only our Flatiron neighborhood but also to the national jazz community. Advancing the appreciation, understanding and performance of jazz has always been the guiding principle in everything we do.”
About JAZZ STANDARD
Awarded “Best Jazz Club” by New York Magazine and “Top 100 Great Jazz Clubs Worldwide” by Downbeat Magazine, JAZZ STANDARD continues to bring the legendary artists of today and the brightest stars of tomorrow ranging from classic jazz to funk, R&B, blues, and more. JAZZ STANDARD presents an extraordinary lineup of world-class artists, warm hospitality, pitch-perfect sound, comfortable seating – and earlier sets so you can drop in after work. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or a budding fan, the club delivers a fun and memorable evening filled with soulful music and mouthwatering barbecue. JAZZ STANDARD serves Blue Smoke’s award-winning barbecue complemented by specialty cocktails, beers and wine. Blue Smoke & JAZZ STANDARD are part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. jazzstandard.com
About Jazz Foundation of America
For 25 years the Jazz Foundation of America has been keeping jazz & blues alive by helping the musicians who played with everyone from Duke Ellington & Billie Holiday to Jimi Hendrix & The Rolling Stones, providing housing assistance, health care, gigs and emergency financial support in times of crisis. JFA now assists in more than 5,000 cases a year, including hundreds of musicians and their families affected by Hurricane Sandy in New York as well as those still recovering from Katrina in New Orleans. Their programs include: preventing homelessness and eviction by paying rents and mortgages; creating dignified work through the Jazz in the Schools concerts, which reach thousands of inner city public school children across America; providing free medical care and operations with their partners Englewood Hospital; and keeping the heat turned on and food on the table through the Musicians’ Emergency Fund. jazzfoundation.org
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