Notes from the Publisher

20 years of on-time publication interrupted by COVID-19

early March, I received the first inquiry from an advertiser about what effect I thought COVID-19 might have on upcoming concerts and festivals.

“How are the big events such as Seabreeze and Berks dealing with the coronavirus?” asked Christian Bössner, producer of the Mallorca and Algarve smooth jazz festivals, via email. “Is it a big problem? I’m wondering if I should skip the April issue?” Although I hadn’t heard anything from other advertisers, my reply to the Germany-based advertiser was, “I’m concerned about the virus. I wore a mask and gloves when I went to the doctor recently.” Then added to my March 3 email to him, “But, I’m not sure what I will do at the festivals,” referring specifically to the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest and Seabreeze Jazz Festival, where we were scheduled to have booths in late March and April, respectively. So, I resumed working on the April issue, which was to feature Boney James, a revival of our “Inside the Music Industry” column, “Jazz Buzz,” a travel piece on the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, a fivepage calendar of events, DISCover New Music, a book review,

horoscopes and the largest number of ads we had ever sold in any previous April issue. On March 11, while editing the second round of layouts of that near-ready-for-pre-press edition, the 45th American president announced a suspension of all travel from Europe to the United States due to COVID-19. Because nearly 90 percent of all attendees of both of Bössner’s festivals are American, I immediately sent him an email that read: “Trump just suspended all travel from Europe to the U.S. for the next 30 days due to the coronavirus, so I think you’re right to skip your ad in the April issue, and let’s see how things shake out.” Things quickly erupted later that night when the World Health Organization declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. Suddenly, concerts, festivals and cruises started canceling or postponing. First, the 30th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, then the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, followed by just about every event listed in our calendar section. Only a few advertisers canceled, but I encouraged the others to do so as well, while recommending that we skip the April issue pending the outcome of this uncertain development, which was evolving daily. I immediately canceled my press date, then advised our staff and freelancers that, for the first time in 20 years, we would not publish the April issue. But, I assured them all that they would still be paid for all of the work they had completed even though all of our ad revenues had evaporated. This unprecedented health crisis instantly ruptured the rhythm of the multimillion-dollar smooth jazz industry and my small business. And, instead of artists and musicians wheeling through the States on tour buses or jetting off to their next gig, they set up cameras in their living rooms and home studios and began offering live shows on Facebook and other online platforms. So, as much as we all enjoy reading Smooth Jazz News in print, we felt it was necessary to join the virtual world and publish this digital-only version for now. We are extremely grateful to the advertisers who provided the budget for this special limited online edition. I hope you enjoy it. Meanwhile, I am anxiously awaiting the day when we can resume publishing the magazine that keeps so many genre enthusiasts updated on artists and events that we will, once again, experience live and in-person, at our favorite venues and destinations. And, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but after two months of isolating at home, I miss the endless days of deadlines!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SMooth Jazz NeWs

For 20 years, we have never missed a publication. So, it has been difficult for us to temporarily pause publication of Smooth Jazz News beginning with the April 2020 issue due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

As we monitor this situation, which remains fluid, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (https://cdc.gov), directives from credentialed medical professionals and scientists, as well as governmental and public health mandates, we are socially isolating and awaiting the day when it is safe and legal to resume publication of Smooth Jazz News.

Until then, we are also temporarily pausing new subscriptions. If you are a subscriber, you will not be charged during this period of non-publication of the print magazine, and your subscription expiration date will be extended accordingly when we resume print publication.

We sincerely apologize to everyone for this temporary inconvenience.

Please check our Facebook page often for updates, and should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at smoothjazznews@aol.com.

Our hearts go out to those affected, medically and financially, by this illness. And our loudest applause is for all of the health care workers, first responders, maintenance people, delivery drivers, truckers, store stockers, cashiers, mail carriers and all other essential workers who make it possible for the rest of us to socially isolate during this public health crisis.

Please stay safe and be well.

Sincerely, Melanie Maxwell Publisher and founder, Smooth Jazz News