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Who We Help | Wish List | Pledge | Donate Now By filling out our pledge form, you're not only making a donation, you are changing the life of a jazz musician. These great artists have given their lives for the music. Back in the day, they played all night long in clubs for only $30. They weren't unionized in those days. If they had been, they'd have had health insurance and pension plans. Many clubs didn't even allow the black musicians in through the front door and gave them only one-time buyouts for recording sessions that later were re-issued as CDs-and never paid them again. These players were also always on the road, without any family or friends, and alone with no one to help them in their later years. By donating to the Jazz Musicians' Emergency Fund, you are doing something very tangible, something that effects not only their ability to live, but their ability to live with dignity-the dignity they earned years ago. A message from the Director: You can't imagine what it is like to sit across from these incredible musicians who've finally found the courage to come into our office - many times through the prompting of other musicians - and ask for help. These people have been independent all their lives, known among one another and respected. To ask for help is next to impossible for most of them. At the Jazz Foundation, we become their friend and confidant, and
take the time to really hear all that's going on so we can address
their long-term needs, as well as their immediate needs. When one of them comes in homeless or hungry, aside from the help they receive for their long-term concerns, they are taken to lunch and sometimes, invited to my place on weekends for dinner, always as a welcomed friend, and never treated as a charity case. They are always told that this Fund is their "Savings Account" that they might have had, if only they had been paid properly all these years for their gigs and their recordings. That's why we can't let them down and we must make this Fund big enough so we never have to turn anyone away. This month, because the Fund was low, we could only pay half the rent of a great blues singer who recently had a brain tumor removed and has not been able to work since the operation. The music needs them and they need us. We live in strange times; the world seems to be so self-absorbed these days. Everyone seems to be working harder and longer. No one seems to have the time to even take a minute for themselves. But somewhere between inhaling and exhaling, people do find the time to help. And we thank you for taking the time to be part of the Jazz Foundation. Together, we are truly changing the lives of the very people who've provided the soundtracks for our loves, our greatest pains, and our greatest joys. Without them, there would be no music. Thank you so much for your giving. Yours In Service, |
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