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 Mission
Jazz from Bloomington (JfB) was formed in 1999 by Bloomington and area jazz musicians and aficionados as an outgrowth of a concert to raise funds for rejuvenation of the Indiana (Buskirk-Chumley) Theatre. The organization was incorporated as a non-profit in July 2000. Its primary mission is to promote and preserve jazz as America's unique art form. This goal is advanced through affordably-priced jazz events and free public educational activities including lectures, concerts, sponsorships of student artists, and programming for public school students.
Jazz from Bloomington Concert Series
 Provides public access to exceptional jazz artistry at nominal ticket prices.
Production costs for a concert range from $3,000.00 to $10,000.00 depending on venue, artists' fees, equipment and technical needs, etc. The average cost of an event based on several past seasons was $6,500.00.
Concerts are funded via ticket sales, memberships, grants and corporate sponsorships.
Past Jazz from Bloomington Concerts and events have featured today's top jazz artists including: John Abercrombie, Lynne Arriale, Astral Project, Avishai Cohen, Bob Dorough, Dave Douglas, Joe Duskin, Jeff Hamilton, the IU Latin American Music Ensemble, Ingrid Jensen, Geoff Keezer, David Liebman, Bill Mays, Christian McBride, The New York Voices, Greg Osby, Danilo Perez, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, David Sanchez, John Scofield, Bob Seeley, Marvin Stamm, Toots Thielemans, Michael Weiss, and Kenny Werner.
Jazz from Bloomington Education and Outreach Programs
The primary commitment of JfB involves increasing public awareness of jazz in its many forms and its presentation as America's original contribution to the arts. We are dedicated to "keep the music alive" through low-cost and free jazz events for the community in the form of concerts, lectures, workshops and jam sessions. These activities have been developed with support from and through collaboration with a variety of organizations and corporate sponsors. JfB is extremely proud of the educational activities in the organization, which serve over 2,500 students annually in addition to hundreds of adults in the community.
Jazz in the Schools
A major thrust of our educational effort involves an "outreach" program to bring the music to school children who would ordinarily not have exposure to it. For several years JfB has been involved in offering free jazz education events to underserved and rural schools in Monroe, Brown, Greene, Owen and Lawrence counties. Through grants from the Indianapolis Musicians' Union's Performance Fund and the Pacers Foundation, members of the IU Jazz Studies Department and their students have offered a series of "informances" which involve concerts, instruction and interactive sharing of the art form with the children. Recently a curriculum guide was developed for the project by J. B. Dyas, Executive Director of the Brubeck Institute. This curriculum guide and materials were distributed to the public schools in conjunction with the jazz concert/workshop series. Costs: Concert/Workshop $400 each; Curriculum Guide and accompanying CD packet $100 each. Total cost of the project per year: $4,000.00
Jammin' with the Pros
A project developed to bring together young jazz musicians and professional musicians through a series of structured "jam sessions." A professional rhythm section and a "leader" horn player provide a high quality and structured musical environment in which students from area middle schools and high schools"sit in" and perform. Tunes are selected and advertised in advance so that students can prepare and realize success in performance. Cost: $650.00 each. Total cost of the project per year: $3,000.00
Combo Program
This program serves junior high and high school students from Bloomington and surrounding areas, providing weekly combo meetings and monthly instrument-specific master classes with Indiana University jazz majors as instructors. Cost: $6,000.00 (based on an enrollment of 40 students).
IU Visiting Artist Series
Free public workshops have been presented by most of JfB's visiting artists, as a result of informal collaboration between JfB and the Indiana University School of Music Jazz Department. Cost: $1,0000.00 per event.
Special Educational Concerts
In accordance with JfB's mission to increase public awareness about jazz, special educational concerts are designed to provide information about the cultural and/or historical context from which the music developed. The average cost per event: $5,000.00. Past Education Concerts have included:
 "The Jazz State of Indiana with Jack Gilfoy's Big Band" featured the music of Indiana jazz composers and photography and commentary by Duncan Shiedt. This concert was made possible at a reduced ticket price, free for many patrons, through the support of a grant from the Community Foundation of Monroe County.
"Women Kickin' It," presented as a tribute to Women's History Month, featured seven of the area's female jazz musicians. This event, co-produced with the Bloomington Area Arts Council, played to a sold-out house at the Waldron Arts Center Auditorium.
"An Afternoon of Blues and Boogie Woogie Piano" featured several blues and boogie woogie legends. A pre-concert talk provided the audience with some background information about the music. Support for the concert was provided by the Heartland Fund and by Bloomington Parks and Recreation.
"Indiana Avenue Revisited" featured the Hampton Sisters and the David Baker Quintet as a tribute to Black History Month. A pre-concert talk by David Baker provided information to the sold-out house about Indianapolis's historic Indiana Avenue. The event was a co-production of JfB and the Bloomington Area Arts Council.
"Hit It!" featured talented pre-college aged jazz musicians from Bloomington and the surrounding region, highlighting the next generation of the art. The concert was a co-production of JfB and the Bloomington Area Arts Council, with the collaboration of radio station WFHB and Rhino's All Ages Club. The event was broadcast live.
 If you are interested in supporting a Jazz from Bloomington event or would like to collaborate on a future project, please get in touch with Pat Harbison, Funding and Development Chair (
), (812) 339-7471, or Janiece Jaffe, Education and Outreach Chair (
), (812) 323-7660. Or get in touch with any of the Jazz from Bloomington officers for more information.
Jazz from Bloomington is an all-volunteer organization. All operating expenses are covered by membership dues. 100% of donations and sponsorships go directly for programming. Contributions may be directed to the program of the donor's choice.
Our Officers and Committees
Our Sponsors and Collaborators
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