Over the coming weeks we are going to run a series of posts relating to the value of live music, jazz, culture and the importance of what we as musicians do and how it effects others.

This has been something that SJS has been thinking about doing for a while and we are not entirely sure where it will go, but we invite you the reader to ponder these questions as well. Better yet, if you have some comments to pass along we will be glad to add them to future posts. (email [email protected] with your comments – names will not be published if you would like your comments to remain anonymous)

We’ve started this series with two recent posts:

Seattle Times: At Tula’s, the last stand of the jazz open jam
The static popularity of jazz, the economics of hosting live music, the current recession — all have taken their toll on places like Tula’s, and in particular, on the open jam, a timeless ritual of jazz. Starting in February, Tula’s will have only two open jams per month instead of one every week. Once upon a time, Tula’s hosted two a week … “The people are wonderful,” said Waldron, who makes ends meet because of his Navy pension. “I’d like to keep it going. But I can only do what the general public wants.”

The Jazz Hang: 2009 – The Year of Live Music
Throughout all of history with wars and economic downturns, as well as men landing on the moon and people dancing in the streets, music has been there in one fashion or another. No matter what we or our ancestors have been through, we have always had a sound track. Musicians have always been around to shoot us to the heavens, funk us to the low down, swing us into delirium and soothe our wounded hearts. Musicians are the constant of history, and music is the one sure thing … So I propose that we make this the Year of Live Music. I’m standing on my chair (OK, home alone at my desk….You can’t see me, but still…conjure up an image.) and asking you to commit to going out and supporting live music, whenever or wherever you can.

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Seattle Jazz
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