The Jazz Journalists Association has announced its 2014 “Jazz Heroes,” two dozen individuals who, according to a press release, are “activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz.” The honorees were chosen by the JJA in collaboration with grass roots supporters in 21 U.S. cities and Toronto. The announcement coincides with the launch of JazzApril, a media campaign celebrating local scenes during Jazz Appreciation Month, which culminates in International Jazz Day.
According to the press release, “The 2014 Jazz Heroes include music educators, festival producers, venue operators and presenters, broadcasters and journalists, a municipal cultural administrator, an instrument repair angel, and musicians who have been mentors to up ‘n’ coming musicians as well as audiences.”
Alphabetically, the heroes are:
Harold Battiste, New Orleans-based saxophonist, composer-arranger and producer;
John Bilotti, co-producer of the Wall Street Jazz Festival, Kingston NY
Cephas Bowles, president and CEO of WBGO, Newark NJ
Raymond Brown, trumpeter and head of jazz studies at Cabrillo College near Santa Cruz, CA
Faye Carol, vocalist and educator in the SF Bay Area
Bill Foster, founder of Detroit’s Jazz Network Foundation
Bobby Hill, writer and broadcaster at WPFW, Washington DC
Joseph Jennings, saxophonist and retired educator in Atlanta
Jennifer Johnson Washington, director of programming for Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Dr. John Lamkin II, cross-genres trumpeter and educator in Maryland
Emilio Lyons, the Sax Doctor of Boston
Thara Memory, composer, trumpeter and educator in Portland OR
Vita West Muir, founder and producer of the Litchfield Jazz Festival and Jazz Camp
Thomas Pierce, activist for the Schenectady-based Swingtime Jazz Society and A Place for Jazz
Jon Poses, founder and executive director of the “We Always Swing”® Jazz Series in Columbia MO
Geraldine “Gerry” Seay, owner/operator of B Sharps Jazz Café, Tallahassee
Meghan Stabile, founder of Revive Music Group
Peggy Stern, pianist and co-founder/producer of the Wall Street Jazz Festival, Kingston NY
Janis Stockhouse, trumpeter and director of bands at Bloomington High School North, Bloomington IN
Bill Strickland, founder of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Patrick Taylor, founder and producer of the Toronto Jazz Festival
Larry Reni Thomas, journalist and radio broadcaster working with Art of the Cool, Durham NC
Wayne Thompson, writer and festival board member, Portland OR
Jim Wilke, Jazz After Hours radio show producer, Seattle
Sponsors of the JJA’s JazzApril, Jazz Heroes and Jazz Awards include the Jazz Cruise, North Coast Brewing Company, the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, Berklee College of Music, Century Media Partners LLC, the Jazz Institute of Chicago, JazzBoston and the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild.
