Jazz Journalists Association announces 2013 ‘Jazz Heroes’ nominees

The New York based Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) just announced the 2013 “Jazz Hero” nominees. The chosen few are usually “activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz who have had significant impact in their local communities” according to the JJA website.

2013 Jazz Heroes (c) JJA

The award was first presented in 1997 and  has been linked to excellence in jazz musicianship and jazz journalism ever since.
The JJA members vote themselves to reduce the entire list of candidates to the final-round nominees which are now presented by name.

The “Jazz Hero” award is presented together with the annual JJA “Jazz Award.”

The JJA is a non-profit organization with several hundred fellows, members of the board of directors include Forrest Dylan Bryant and Garry Giddins.

It is worth noting that many sophisticated articles on jazz, jazz life and industry aspects were actually provided by members. Membership above all requires a particular link to and interest in jazz culture. It is one of the key features that by participating in the Association “musicians, journalists and other media makers, businesses and organizations and educators can help spread the word about the social and cultural importance of jazz.”

Well, that is just what I am doing here on jive-talk.com, so I gladly spread the word.

 

Good luck to the nominees and please keep writing and playing!

Dr.  Alexander Ebert