Myth #1: J4JA! is giving the clubs a bad name.
We recognize that NYC’s jazz clubs play an important role in our city’s cultural and economic life. These clubs are among the few places presenting the music that is one of our nation’s greatest treasures.

That’s why Local 802 took pains to make sure that our initiative won’t cost the clubs a dime. We lobbied in 2007 for the NY State Legislature to repeal the sales tax on admissions, on that basis, and we succeeded. That means that the repealed sales tax of 8.375% can be redirected into pension payments at no cost to the clubs.

The music needs to be treasured, but we also need to treasure the musicians. When we are able redirect these former tax revenues to musicians benefits, we will be the first to applaud and congratulate the clubs.

Myth #2: The union never contacted the jazz clubs about this issue.
First of all, many of the jazz clubs actively supported our plan when we lobbied the NY State Legislature for the tax credit. After it passed, we were unable to engage them in a discussion about how best to move the tax relief to musicians’ benefit funds. Over the last year, we’ve made a series of phone calls to every club and sent letters, most recently a certified letter sent on September 1. Until two weeks ago, not a single club responded to our efforts to communicate. We believe that a reasoned discussion with club representatives can find a solution that works for the clubs, the musicians and the music.

Myth #3: Most jazz musicians don’t qualify for the pension plan.
Many jazz musicians can’t qualify because their employers don’t make contributions on their behalf. Because jazz and other freelance musicians make a living from many different sources, it is important that every employer make their fair contribution, including the clubs. That’s what we’re fighting for.

The jazz clubs are only one part of the equation. We applaud Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New School Jazz and Contemporary Music program, and a number of small ensembles and bandleaders for making pension contributions on behalf of their musicians. These musicians are now eligible for a pension. The clubs, festivals and other employers need to do likewise. The bottom line: pension payments from the jazz clubs are only one piece, but an important piece in a multi-source pension plan.

Myth #4: Most jazz musicians aren’t in the union.
This assertion misses the point — the Justice for Jazz Artists! campaign is not restricted to union members. If you’re a jazz musician and you have something to say, get in touch! We welcome all participation and feedback. Also, any pension contributions are credited to the musician whether they are a member of the union or not.

Do you have questions or feedback, positive or negative about the campaign? Post it in the comments, or send us a message.

The Justice for Jazz Artists! Jam Session on August 17^th was a grand success.  A hearty congratulations to all who took part!

Two Mondays ago, Local 802, the Jazz Foundation of America and the 802 Jazz Advisory Committee hosted a Justice for Jazz Artists! Jam Session and Kickoff Event to raise awareness around the current campaign to bring benefits to musicians who work in NYC area jazz clubs.

The award winning filmmaker/musician Ron Grunhut created a splendid high definition video of the event, which features interview clips of Randy Weston, Dr. Billy Taylor, Benny Powell, Bernard Purdie, Junior Mance, Reggie Workman, Bob Cranshaw, Sean Lyons and Jimmy Owens, among others.

Featured in the J4JA! video are snippets of performances by Jimmy Owens, Benny Powell, Sean Lyons, Danny Mixon, Kenny Davis, Bernard Purdie, Guadencio Thiago de Mello, Vinnie Knight, Keisha St. Joan, Wade Barnes, Reggie Workman, Bertha Hope, Fran McIntyre and about 2o other performers.

The soundtrack for the video selected by filmmaker Grunhut, was, appropriately, the bluesy “Justice for Jazz Artists,” composed by trumpeter Owens.

The video is about 5 minutes in length, and will be posted on YouTube on or around September 14, 2009.

The Justice for Jazz Artists! campaign is gearing up for future events as we move our campaign into the public sphere this fall.

Local 802 and J4JA! have already been in contact with club owners and NYC political leaders in an effort to resolve issues surrounding the redirection of forgiven NY State tax dollars towards the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund.

The tax dollars can be painlessly redirected from door admission charges towards benefits for performers who work in the club on any given night. The tax money is about .84 cents of every $10 collected at the door.

Club owners must comply with the intentions of state lawmakers, who passed a law forgiving the door sales tax in 2007, and allowing it to go to performers’ benefits.

Thus far, the clubs have refused to do so.

The Justice for Jazz Artists! campaign seeks to change that!

To volunteer in this important effort to help jazz artists in NY State, please email us or call the Local 802 Jazz Department at 212 245 4802 X185.

J4JA! Petitioners have now reached over 900 concerned professional musicians and fans from all over! Here are some recent signers:

Dave Liebman
Helen Merrill
Bernice Watkins
Sean Gough
Gail Hightower
Ayodele Maakheru
Bob Blumenthal
Regina Carter
Laurence Donohue-Greene

We are building steam!

Keep up the good work!

Best,

Jimmy Owens
Bob Cranshaw
J4JA!

Junior Mance - Photo credit Jon Hammond

For more information about the history of the admissions sales tax, see this comprehensive article from Local 802’s Allegro.