BJA: Dedicated to Promoting Jazz in Baltimore!
For twelve years the Baltimore Jazz Alliance has crusaded and advocated for local live jazz, with significant accomplishments—our monthly newsletters, an online jazz calendar, composer showcases, a big band, compilation CDs, programs to expose kids to the music, and outreach at events like Artscape—all by a volunteer board of directors and just one part-time paid staff person who edits this newsletter. Although newsletter ads and member dues partially cover costs of the organization’s activities, financial support from donations and fundraising events is necessary to cover other expenses.
On May 31st, BJA held its second fundraiser at Baltimore’s Caton Castle. The event drew a crowd of supporters that included emeritus board member and BJA founder Barry Glassman, and two talented young alto saxophonists with a passion for jazz, brother and sister saxophonists Ephraim (12) and Ebban Dorsey (10). Attendees enjoyed music by the band Jumpstreet, dinner, and a silent auction of items that included concert tickets, art, jazz LPs, theater tickets, celebrity prizes, and a year’s subscription to JazzTimes magazine.
BJA honored the late John Tegler with a Baltimore Jazz Heritage Award that recognized his many years of supporting jazz as a DJ at WEAA and regional concert presenter.
Our Lifetime Achievement Award went to the legendary saxophonist and Baltimore native Gary Bartz, whose career has spanned over 50 years. In addition to Bartz’s own accomplishments as a leader, he has worked with jazz giants Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner and many other high-profile artists. Bartz’s remarks were a highlight of the evening. He revealed that later that week he would receive national recognition with the prestigious BNY Mellon Jazz 2015 Living Legacy Award. Bartz also shared information about his early years as a musician when he commuted back and forth from New York to Baltimore.
Scholarships were then awarded to Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey, who capped off the evening by joining Jumpstreet on “All Blues” and “St. Thomas.”
Special thanks from the BJA to all who attended to support the organization and to Caton Castle for hosting the event. If you would like to help BJA preserve and nurture live jazz in Baltimore, become a BJA member or make a donation today.
-Todd Marcus
