January 2022

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As we enter the new year, we leave behind two years of chaos, dismay and trauma.  While mourning all who we have lost,
please join me in taking a deep breath and reflecting on the positive.

 

We have gathered our resources and helped our jazz heroes, be they journeymen and women, or icons in the jazz community, who have found themselves suddenly without venues in which to play and to teach and, therefore, with little or no income.
 

Our musicians have learned new skills, as have we, opening up a new world which allows us all to enjoy remotely the music that we love, often presented from our heroes’ living rooms, rooftops, empty nightclubs…or wherever.  While watching and listening, we have generously opened our hearts and wallets to help.  Our music director, Greg Porée, has developed, directs and hosts “Sonic Tonic,” a well-received podcast, conducting in-depth interviews of various musicians, some well-known and others newly introduced through their words and their music.  CJF has also instituted “Applause,” a monthly concert series, featuring seasoned as well as talented newcomer musicians, co-produced by Greg Porée and Scherr Lillico of The Proper Image, our new Administrator. 

 

​​​​The past two years have also brought internal changes to CJF, in our physical location, our administration, and our social worker.  Currently, we are excited to be planning our live, in-person Give the Band a Hand Gala on April 30, 2022, honoring Don Was, who succeeded in reviving and preserving Blue Note Records, and our beloved, multi-talented Jeff Clayton, who tragically left us in December 2020.  Stay tuned for details.

Join us!  Become a member, make a donation, attend our events and help us spread the word. With your support, we will continue our mandate…to help!  Thank you!

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Edythe L. Bronston
Founder and President