A message from JEN President - Mary Jo Papich

July 25, 2008

WELCOME to the official website of the newly launched JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK!

YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

If you have a passion for jazz…you are in the right place!

We chose the word NETWORK because that is what we do…we make connections….to enhance your jazz experience… whether it be teaching, performing, producing, managing or listening! There are no boundaries to what we can accomplish…together. JEN is a new organization dedicated to networking in the jazz arts community . . . and YOU definitely want to be involved!

WHY JOIN JEN?

• We are in a revolutionary moment---it is time to re-ignite our jazz arts community!
• We are here because there is a need---
• A need to know more about America’s art form---
• A need to connect with one another---and we will provide our members with quality conferences, workshops and clinics at reasonable prices because we now know the value of the $.
• Jazz education must be accessible to all people and relative to all cultures…jazz is the universal cultural connector!
• The music itself is reason enough…

The skills used in improvisation are the very creative problem solving skills needed in the work world today. We must inspire improvisation in all that we do---as Bill Strickland says,

“LIFE IS JAZZ, JAZZ IS LIFE!”

Launching a new organization is a fresh start for the future of jazz education. We have learned from the past and are connected to an exciting future. We are now member led, member driven….you have our pledge to be honest, hard-working, committed, dedicated and real.

Plans are to roll out a hip Student Members Only section as well as a Kid’s Corner to connect with our youth raised on computers, pods and video games. We invite the young and not so young, the professional and not so professional---as we promote traditional and not so traditional JAZZ!

With your assistance, this website will be a resource for educators, students, performers, and industry professionals….it will be:

• A place to get answers to your questions as you “Network with an Expert”
• A forum for discussions
• A place to host a calendar for workshops/events/conferences
• A place to network with other jazzers of all ages
• A site to download free jazz charts (elementary to pro- that will pay for your membership cost within months)
• Access to our association’s online magazine, JAZZed by Symphony Publishing
• And much more!!!

This website will be what you need it to be…talk to us…we represent YOU…the teacher, the student, the musician, the technician, the producer, the businessman, the fan……we are all life long learners of jazz….eagerly awaiting the next exciting groove.

COME BACK AND VISIT US OFTEN as together we shape, form and plan the future of jazz education!

Stay tuned,

Mary Jo Papich

President

Jazz Education Network

As Louis Armstrong once said…to Jazz or not to Jazz…there is No question!

The Jazz Education Network is founded in the spirit of collaboration, creativity and commitment. This organization is supported by professionals in music education, business, industry, and journalism…all believing in creative collaborations. JEN has applied for a non-profit status as an educational service organization and all that relates to it.