Background

The Problem

Jazz musicians who work in area clubs receive no pension or health contributions, or state statutory benefits like workers’ comp, unemployment, or disability insurance. Many 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.”

In the 1960s, New York eliminated the tax on admission to live musical and theatrical performances – the money went to fund benefits on Broadway.

In Albany in 2007, tax relief was passed with the expectation of state legislators that the clubs would use this money to provide pension benefit contributions for jazz artists. Now that the tax money has been made available, the club owners have yet to put the money towards benefits.

The Solution

Local 802 is prepared to work with the clubs to ensure that musicians receive the maximum available statutory and other benefits, including retirement benefits through the AFM pension plan. We need to convince the clubs that this is an important issue that affects hundreds of musicians annually. Utilizing the tax relief money for musicians’ benefits is the right thing, the only thing, to do.

How We Do It

• Sign the Petition
• Explain the problem to other musicians. Convince them to go to justiceforjazzartists.org and sign the Justice for Jazz Artists Campaign petition. Tell your friends to do the same.
• Post the JFJA Logo on your website. Educate your fans about JFJA.
• Write letters to your local political, religious and community leaders. Encourage them to put pressure on the clubs to do the right thing.