Jazz is an esteemed American art form, inspiring passionate devotion among generations of fans, and New York City has long been an international jazz mecca.
However, unlike musicians who play on Broadway and in symphony orchestras who are protected by union contracts, the skilled jazz musicians who work in major New York City clubs have no guarantee of fair payment, receive no pension or health contributions or state statutory benefits like workers’ comp, unemployment or disability insurance. And not only that—many of these great players find that their gigs have been recorded by the clubs and used without their permission or any royalty payment.
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Jazz is an esteemed American art form, inspiring passionate devotion among generations of fans, and New York City has long been an international jazz mecca.
However, unlike musicians who play on Broadway and in symphony orchestras who are protected by union contracts, the skilled jazz musicians who work in major New York City clubs have no guarantee of fair payment, receive no pension or health contributions or state statutory benefits like workers’ comp, unemployment or disability insurance. And not only that—many of these great players find that their gigs have been recorded by the clubs and used without their permission or any royalty payment.
Because of these injustices, many of these men and women who sustain this great American music are forced to retire with no income to fall back on in their later years. This is shameful in a country that has recognized jazz as a “National Treasure.”
The Justice for Jazz Campaign is out to change all of that, by achieving these goals:
Fair Pay
Adequate Pension Contributions
Protection of Recording Rights
A Process for Redressing Grievances
The fact is, the major NYC jazz clubs like the Blue Note, Iridium, Village Vanguard, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, The Jazz Standard, and Birdland can afford to do right by the musicians who bring patrons through their doors.
The musicians union Local 802 wants to work with these clubs to ensure that musicians receive fair treatment. We need to convince the clubs that this is an important issue that affects hundreds of musicians annually.
If you want to help, we ask that you sign the Justice for Jazz Artists (J4JA) Campaign petition, and tell your friends to do the same!
J4JA! supporters have also been conducting an informational leafleting in front of the six major NYC jazz clubs.
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