JazzBlues.org
Title
Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society Website
Description
In conjunction with the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society, Inc. (TJBS) was formed in 1972 to bring together individuals in the state who were interested in and dedicated to our living national treasure, Jazz & Blues. In 1975 it became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The membership, currently at about 675, is comprised of all kinds of people in all kinds of professions, having a love for jazz and/or blues.
From the beginning the TJBS was involved in promoting jazz and blues in the schools. An annual 3 day Jazz Festival brought in 2 dozen high school and college bands from around Tennessee to perform with jazz legends like the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Stan Kenton Orchestra, Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra, Jean-Luc Ponty, Louie Bellson, and others. Many other activities included "Jazz Showcases" in conjunction with NARAS, Jazz Film Nights, benefit concerts for the American Cancer Society, Cumberland Heights and others, Big Band Dinner Dances, and many sponsored performances of local jazz and blues artists around Nashville.
For 10 years the TJBS presented a syndicated public radio show, UPBEAT, hosted by 2 of its founding members. Our Society is still a major contributor to our jazz public radio station, WMOT Jazz 89. In 2001 we launched a significant new weekly music/documentary show called "JAZZ On The Side", a fascinating look at the music and lives of great "sidemen" and women in jazz history. The show is heard weekly on WMOT and is broadcast world-wide on the internet.
