About Jazz Alive

Jazz Alive is a 501c3 non profit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the uniquely American music art form of jazz and its practitioners. Our mission is to bring greater appreciation and understanding of jazz from the bebop era to present day. Jazz Alive was founded by 3 jazz musicians who are graduates of University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music (CCM), namely Gordon Brisker, Joseph Gaudio, and Donald Carr.

Our purpose

Make the public aware of the origins of jazz, its significance to the American culture and its effect on the world stage. Make the public aware of the talent available locally and nationally by presenting performances of local and national artists. Foster creativity in the jazz community by providing opportunities for performances of original and standard jazz material.

We seek to broaden the understanding of jazz by

• Forming a partnership between musician and audience, including entertainment and enlightenment.
• Fostering and encouraging a greater appreciation of jazz.
• Preserving and expanding the rich heritage of jazz.
• Providing opportunities for the performance of repertory, contemporary, and experimental forms of the jazz idiom.
• Establishing Jazz Alive as a valuable educational resource tool for the community.
• Nurturing the growth and traditions of jazz as a multicultural contribution to the richness of the American experience.

Our goals and activities to date

• School Time Jazz program for area schools – 1 event in 2008 with 30 student attendees. Pilot program in 2008. Reintroducing for the 2009-2010 program year. 1 event in 2009 with 40 students student attendees. Sponsored by Fine Arts Fund.
• Jazz concerts for Seniors (nursing homes/retirement communities) – 87 events in 2008/2009 with total of 6,500 attendees (sponsored in part by Carl Lindner). Currently in discussion with Creative Aging Cincinnati as an additional resource.
• Workshops for young talent – future implementation.
• Performances and master classes with national jazz artists – future implementation.
• Concerts with local and regional jazz talent – 4 concerts in 2008/2009 with total of 240 attendees (sponsored through the Fairfield Community Arts Center).
• Jazz Alive on the Wind radio program at WMKV 89.3 FM for 3 ½ years.

Tentative 2009/2010 Program Year

• 4 concerts with local, regional and national jazz talent.
• 50+ jazz concerts for Seniors.
• 4 School Time Jazz program educational events.
• Continue Jazz Alive on the Wind radio program at WMKV 89.3 FM.