Second round of Jazz Coalition grantees announced.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
The second round of Jazz Coalition Commission Fund recipients has been announced. Press release, including full list of recipients, attached.
We have received the following press release;
SECOND ROUND OF JAZZ COALITION COMMISSION FUND GRANTEES ANNOUNCED!
We are thrilled to announce the second round of Jazz Coalition Commission Fund recipients. Thanks to the support of our community members as well as some important institutional donors, we are able to award additional commissions to the following deserving artists.
Our esteemed jury of musicians, journalists, and industry members voted on close to 170 additional names and with a few ties, we ended up at 53 total grantees for this round. To date, through the generous support of our members, Jazz Coalition has been able to disburse $103,000 in funds to musicians.
Several grantees expressed gratitude while also cautioning their responsibility to reflect the present moment in society. Pianist, organist and composer Willerm Delisfort commented on receiving his commission noting an “opportunity to contribute music that could possibly change hearts and minds of many, especially during these challenging times when many are simply angry, and tired of being angry.”
Similarly composer, vocalist, and educator Fay Victor noted that “receiving this grant will enable me to create a work that will surely represent the unrepresented. I am still considering, but leaning toward writing an improvised choir piece featuring black female voices.”
Drummer, composer and Berklee College of Music professor Ralph Peterson, Jr. brought up a different aspect he hoped to highlight. “I am humbled and honored to receive this Jazz Coalition grant! The Jazz Coalition works to create empowering experiences of all kinds for artists in our community. In addition to the commission, I look forward to working with the Coalition on future projects including, but not limited to health and wellness.”
Composer, pianist and educator Michele Rosewoman, known for her work at the intersection of jazz and sacred Afro-Cuban traditions, expressed gratitude and reflected on the current moment. “This much appreciated commission is an encouraging opportunity for musical reflection and expression. It helps the community continue to strive and to thrive. A recent review of my poetry/spoken word and the introspection of these unusual times seems to be providing a spark for new music, for which words are igniting the form and direction. Something different will come out of all of this—humanity is being pushed towards change and being given an opportunity to right some wrongs. The arts will of course reflect the times.”
First round commission artists pianist Orrin Evans, saxophonist-vocalist Camille Thurman, vibraphonist Joel Ross and South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini have completed and premiered their commissions on various livestreams. Saxophonist Alfredo Colón, trumpeter Wallace Roney, Jr. and Wayne Horvitz have already completed their commissions, but not premiered them to date.
Meanwhile, other first round Jazz Coalition commission artists including Aaron Parks, Alexa Tarantino, Anthony Wilson, Amirtha Kidambi, Ben Lamar Gay, Christine Jensen, Daymé Arocena, Greg Ward, Jaimie Branch, Jon Cowherd, James Brandon Lewis, Linda May Han Oh, Johnathan Blake, Kate Gentile, Elio Villafranca, Melissa Aldana, Roy Nathanson and Tim Berne have all indicated that their commissions are in progress and their premiere performances are yet to be scheduled. Please check our social media and newsletters for scheduled performances.
The Jazz Coalition aims to continue to raise money to fund additional commissions. Please continue to help us by donating, spreading the word and increasing our potential impact. Download your Membership assets and also find the group PSA featuring supportive artists below.
With your support, together we will spark new creativity!
LIST OF SECOND ROUND GRANTEES;
Aaron Johnston
Allison Miller
Ari Brown
Aruan Ortiz
Ava Mendoza
Carla Bley
Carmen Staaf
Connie Han
Cyrille Aimée
Darius Jones
Diego Urcola
E.J. Strickland
Edward Wilkerson Jr.
Eric Person
Eric Revis
Fabian Almazan
Fay Victor
George Schuller
Helen Sung
Immanuel Wilkins
JD Allen
Jorge Vistel
Josh Sinton
Justin Brown
Justin Faulkner
Keyon Harrold
Lesedi Ntsane
Makaya McCraven
Marcus Shelby
Maria Grand
Matt Wilson
Melanie Charles
Michael Formanek
Michael Mayo
Michelle Rosewoman
Milena Casado Fauquet
Morgan Guerin
Nick Dunston
Ralph Peterson
Ray Drummond
Richie Goods
Ronnie Cuber
Sarah Elizabeth Charles
Sarah Hughes
Steven Bernstein
Sullivan Fortner
Sylvie Courvoisier
Theo Bleckmann
Theo Crocker
Tom Harrell
Wendy Eisenberg
Willerm Delisfort
William Parker
Read about Jazz Coalition at WBGO
https://www.wbgo.org/post/jazz-coalition-announces-first-wave-awardees-its-commission-fund#stream/0
Enjoy this Public Service Announcement video from some of our biggest supporters including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jon Batiste, Joshua Redman, Vijay Iyer, Joe Lovano, Shabaka Hutchings, Kat Edmonson, Mark Guiliana & Gretchen Parlato and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slozISaam50
Help us spread the word!
Please follow us, tag @JazzCoalition & use hashtag #JazzCoalition:
Together we can continue to grow the Commission Fund and impact more jazz musicians worldwide – so please help us spread the word by sharing on your channels and social media.