| Mutual Musicians Foundation Completes First of Annual Conversations on Jazz In America |
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(Kansas City, MO) The
Mutual Musicians Foundation (MMF) located in Kansas City, MO, held the
first of a series of conversations concerning jazz as an economic,
education and preservation tool, May 23, 2013, as part of 100 events
being presented in celebration of the founding of the organization in
1917 as Local 627 or the “colored” musicians union.
“Jazz Center Stage: The Economics of Audience Development”, spoke to the dire importance of redefining “audiences” and allowing jazz to expand within an international scope.” Said Anita J. Dixon, Vice President of the MMF and moderator for the distinquished panel which included world famous bassit and educator, Dr. Larry Ridley, Bill Myers, President of the African-American Jazz Caucus, Inc (AAJC), and Chuck Haddix, Director of the University of Kansas City’s (UMKC) Marr Sound Archives. Presented in part by the City of Kansas City and the American Jazz Museum, “Jazz Center Stage” spoke to aligning unique collaborative efforts between tourism, higher education and historic preservation to demonstrate jazz as an economic development tool and as an entrĂ©e, introducing American jazz to new and diverse concepts globally. “The entire 2 hour video can be seen by sending an email request to ugrrlady@aol.com or by phoning (816) 612-0864. We will ship a DVD for only shipping and handling cost.” Said Dixon. View the trailer for Jazz Center Stage: The Economics of Audience Development HERE
For more information go to facebook/Mutual Musicians Foundation
or call (816) 612-0864
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Jazz Center Stage:
The Economics of Audience Development Presented by The Mutual Musicians Foundation International Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:00 am to 1:00 pm The Gem Theater/Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District Kansas City, Missouri Mission Statement The Mutual Musicians Foundation International (MMFI) is dedicated to presenting the MMFI as an international hub utilizing the city’s most recognized international product; jazz solely for the benefit of its most treasured resource; musicians past, present and future. The MMFI will increase the participation of ethnic, cultural/heritage based businesses and organizations within the overall marketing efforts of the cultural communities of Kansas City, create and maintain an international visitors center in the historic 18th & Vine jazz district of Kansas City. Jazz Center Stage: The Economics of Audience Development Jazz Center Stage: The Economics of Audience Development is a summit that will be presented in Kansas City to demonstrate the international, economic impact of America’s indigenous art form within a preservation, education and economic development context. Utilizing a model to be set by Kansas City’s Historic Jazz district, participants will benefit from this summit by: Understanding why audience development is the umbrella under which all other arts and economic development should gather; Demonstrating the strength of collaborative efforts between preservation, education and tourism entities; Utilizing the Kansas City model to promote Jazz as an international focus; Create an international “think tank” identifying resources, consultants and events to continue to support jazz into the future. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Mutual Musicians Foundation International Jazz Center (MMFI) along with the city of Kansas City is witnessing a renaissance in art and culture. The 18th and Vine Corridor (which encompasses the historic jazz district to the Crossroads) is poised to continue on as one of the premiere experiences to offer to international travelers. We are pleased to present this information as part of our newest programming of the Mutual Musicians Foundation; our International Jazz Center. The Mutual Musicians Foundation International (MMFI) The Mutual Musicians Foundation International is a 501(c)(3) organization that is the fiscal organization of the Mutual Musicians Foundation Once known as Local 627 or the “colored musicians union” the Mutual Musicians Foundation is 93 years into the heart beat that became Jazz, the only indigenous art form of America. We are proud of the legacy left to us by Count Basie, Mary Lou Williams and Charlie Parker and work diligently to preserve this heritage for decades to come. Our newest focus is to utilize our 93 year presence into an interpretive center by: Creating a hub center that showcases the MMFI as an international tourism DESTINATION located in one of the most famous neighborhoods of African American historical significance; 18th & Vine; Utilizing the MMFI as a one-stop shop to enhance the lives of area musicians with health and wellness programs, affordable housing units, assistance with life-line applications services (i.e. food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.); Working with “port of entry” cities to direct them to Kansas City; Creating a unique social media marketing presence for international education programs, international guests, corporations and small businesses wishing to invest in Kansas City’s cultural landscape; Create a long-range economic development plan that will expand on the opportunities for further development of the historic buildings and structures of the 18th and Vine district. The Community Nurtures the Sound of Kansas City Jazz The Mutual Musicians Foundation formerly known as Local 627 or the “colored” musicians union from 1917 to 1970 literally grew out of an organic gathering of people of color from all parts of the United States. It was within this “selected set apart” known as segregation that the sound of Kansas City jazz became renown throughout the world. The Swing Era had begun and its luminaries will forever be enshrined and at home at 1823 Highland Ave. During the height of segregation there were hundreds of private homes, shops and churches all within a three square mile radius. The last remnants of how the neighborhood housing was connected to the church and to the Mutual Musicians Foundation can be seen directly to the west of the MMF. These homes demonstrate the close proximity between the church (to the far north corner and the east corner of 19th St. which was across the street from the elementary school Crispus Attucks on 19th and Woodland which was down the street almost two blocks to the south Lincoln high school and the now demolished RT. Coles where many of the local musicians attended high school and were taught the fundamentals of music. This compaction of a people produced the Kansas City sound; blues-based, gospel tinged and Swingin’! A City within a City The African American community was known as “a city within a city” and there was little to no separation of the music. African American musicians and entertainers utilized the union hall as their gathering place during the day for rehearsals, social gatherings and “finish out the night” after the gig. This became known as the “jam session”. The downstairs area of union hall was opened to the public on the weekends and everyone attending the late night sessions would “jam” themselves into the small space which the response would be, “that session is jammed”, thus the term “jam session” became the nomenclature for a gathering of jazz musicians Local 627 was ordered by the American Federation of Musicians to de-segregate the union in 1970 and the white union and black are merged as 34/627. Panel Lewis W. Diuguid, Moderator Lewis W. Diuguid is an Editorial Board member and columnist for The Kansas City Star and letters editor. He has written columns for The Star since 1987. From 1995 to 2009 he co-chaired the diversity initiative at The Star, and starting in 1993 he has facilitated diversity workshops for Star Co. staffers, colleges and community organizations. Diuguid is the author of the 2004 award-winning book, A Teacher’s Cry: Expose the Truth About Education Today. The book offers ways to improve public schools, particularly in urban areas. A Teacher’s Cry is rooted in his studies with the Class of 1999 from the students’ freshman year until graduation at Washington High School in Kansas City, Kan. He wrote about 100 columns for The Star chronicling what it’s like to be a teenager and teacher today. In 2007, Diuguid’s second book was published. The subject is diversity, which for more than 20 years has been a key focus of his columns in The Kansas City Star. The title is Discovering the Real America: Toward a More Perfect Union. Diuguid is a founding member, treasurer, newsletter editor and Media Awards Committee chairman of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, a member of the National Association for Multicultural Education, a member of the Monroe Trotter Group of Black Voices in Commentary, a member of the Missourian Publishing Association Board of Directors with the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and a member of the William Allen White Foundation Board of Trustees with the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. He is a certified diversity facilitator with the Newspaper Association of America. Diuguid gives numerous speeches and lectures a year on behalf of The Star. He has received more than 60 awards, including the 2000 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism, the 2007 University of Missouri-Columbia Faculty-Alumni Award and the 2008 Catalyst Award – Print from the National Association of Multicultural Media Executives. Diuguid was born and reared in St. Louis and has two adult children, Adrianne and Leslie. Dr. Larry Ridley, Jazz Artist and Educator Dr. Larry Ridley’s pedigree in jazz is one of the unquestioned facts in American history. His gigs over the last fifty or more years is a ‘who’s who”, of American classical. His fame as the consummate musician and lover of the genre has earned him a seat at every major jazz venue across the world. As a consultant to the Mutual Musicians Foundation International, he along with the panelists presented at Jazz Center Stage: The Economics of Audience Development” endeavor to create a love of the music in generations to come and secure the future of jazz by understanding the importance of unique and committed collaborations. Professor of Music, Emeritus - Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; Professor of Jazz Bass - Manhattan School of Music; Jazz Artist in Residence - Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library; Executive Director - the African American Jazz Caucus, Inc., (AAJC); President and Artistic Director - Jazz Legacy Inc.; Member, Local 802, American Federation of Musicians; Contributing Editor - JazzEd Magazine; Member- Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) Congressional Black Caucus Jazz Issues Task Force; Lecturer - Jazz@Lincoln Center/Swing University; Websites : www.LarryRidley.com | www.AAJC.us Anita J. Dixon Anita J. Dixon began her career in tourism in 1992 after starting Passage Unlimited, the Kansas City area’s first full time Heritage Tour company, servicing the African American's thirst for their history by providing tours for Black Family Reunions, meetings and conventions coming to Kansas City. She has also consulted on the development of tourism for the states of Missouri and Kansas and has assisted such corporate clients such as the Missouri Lottery, American Family Insurance, Missouri Division of Tourism, National Park Service Department of the Interior in their diversity programming to name a few in her many years in business. The Lady of Freedom Monument Foundation (LFMF) is the 501c3 she began in 2002 after working to pass H. R. 1635, The National Network to Freedom Act which preserves the sites and history of the Underground Railroad. Her ability to bring a message of passion and the economics of tourism concerning the preservation has been applauded by Vice President Al Gore, Senator Kit Bond and Senator John Ashcroft. In her quest to “pay it forward”, she is currently the Vice President of the Mutual Musicians Foundation (formerly known as Local 627 or the “colored” musicians union from 1917 to 1970) a national historic landmark credited with the creation of the Swing Era of Jazz in America and located in Kansas City, MO. In her tenure, she has been instrumental in producing a documentary for the organization, instituted educational programs offered free to youth and conducts the marketing and public relations for this 93 year old presence in jazz history. Dixon is the recipient of many awards including Business Woman of the Year, (Black Chamber of Commerce, KC 2005), The National Association of Black Journalists and The Apex Award from the Travel Professionals of Color (2012) to name a few. Bill Myers Bill Myers is a producer, performer, speaker, educator, coach and business consultant and has worked with many individuals, celebrities, organizations and companies (both for profit and not-for-profits.) His clients have included Indiana Black Expo, Circle City Classic, Girl Scouts, YMCA, the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana, The Columbia Club, and the Indiana Arts Commission to name a few. From his humble beginnings as an aspiring musician, he has worked over the past 30 years in the entertainment industry as a musician, actor, singer, writer, director and producer in professional theatre, music concerts and clubs, network television, film and as a corporate events specialist. He served in many capacities including the Head of Development for Billy Preston's production company G&P Productions in CA, as President of Charter #1 of Optimist International, Inc. and for several years as a member of the Board of Directors of the African American Jazz Caucus in New York City. Mr. Myers is currently serving his second year as the President of the African American Jazz Caucus, Inc. Chuck Haddix Chuck Haddix is the director of the Marr Sound Archives, a collection of 340,000 historic sound recordings housed in the Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri--Kansas City. Haddix hosts the “Fish Fry” a popular radio program featuring the finest in blues, soul, rhythm and blues, jumpin’ jive and zydeco on kcur.org FM 89.3, Kansas City’s public radio station, Friday and Saturday nights from 8:00 to midnight. Over the years, Haddix has contributed to a wide variety of theatrical, recording, video and film projects including “Cronkite Remembers” a biography of Walter Cronkite, Robert Altman's “Kansas City” and Merchant-Ivory's “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge.” His articles have appeared in Down Beat and Living Blues Magazine. In 2005, he coauthored with Frank Driggs, a history of Kansas City jazz, Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop–A History for Oxford University Press. His biography of Charlie Parker Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker will be published in the fall of 2013 by the University of Illinois Press. |
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| More information contact: Anita J. Dixon/Vice President Mutual Musicians Foundation International (816) 612-0864 |
http://www.jazzpromoservices.com/
