About Michelle Jewell

Michelle Jewell is the daughter of the late Chicago jazz legend Franz Jackson.

Growing up with a father who played with virtually everyone in jazz during his 8-decade long career afforded Michelle the unique opportunity to learn about music from someone who was there at the beginning. Memories of meeting Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Roy Eldridge, albeit at a young age, remain in her mind and her parents were committed to raising their children with an appreciation of music and art in all forms.

Having become intimately involved in promoting her father's career late in his life, Michelle's passion for keeping his name and musical legacy alive has intensified since his passing in May, 2008. She has organized an annual concert in his honor in Dowagiac,Michigan in November entitled The Franz Jackson Jazz Celebration. Her ultimate goal is to make this a self-sustaining, multi-day festival featuring top names in jazz and opportunities for music education for young people.

Michelle is currently working on issuing a 2-disc CD set of the music from Franz's 95th birthday concert in November, 2007; his last concert before his death. If you're interested in supporting this important project, please visit www.kickstarter.com and search "Franz Jackson".

mjewell@franzjackson.com
www.franzjackson.com
www.facebook.com/franzjacksonjazz

Michelle Jewell joined the JazzTimes community on Jun 19, 2012