Jazz Day AZ NewSLetter
April, May, June
JAZZ TOWN USA A VILLAGE FOR JAZZ & BLUES MUSICIANS
Why artist housing is just another kind of Workforce housing: In issues of neighborhood change and displacement, and the potential lack of affordable homes and studios such change can cause, artists have a lot at stake. Past articles have suggested that artists can be the “shock troops” of gentrification. But new research and reporting finds that the relationship between the arts and real estate isn’t that simple. As Valderas’s work argues, they’re most often the victims Cities also have a lot at stake. As the economic impact of arts and cultural programming has become better documented, the connection between a city’s economic growth, its artist community, and its ability to provide housing and studio stock to support that community becomes an increasingly pressing issue. The big business of art and culture The belief that tech and creative industries are the primary drivers of the 21st-century economy has created an environment where arts and culture are seen as important signs of a thriving, growing city.
Scottsdale Jazz Festival 2022/23 to Raise Funds to Build Workforce Housing for Jazz & Blues Musicians Jazztown USA has a mission to build a low cost Workforce Housing community for Jazz & Blues Musicians will be exploring the idea of using modular construction integrated with renewable energy smart home technology for its Jazztown community and Tiny Housing construction. The differences between the “traditional stick built” methods of construction versus the “modular” method are showing to be a great way to go. We will be studying the advantages and disadvantages of the modular process along with how we’re integrating renewable energy smart home components to create netzero (NZEB) properties, with the CEO of S2A Modular Brian Kuzdas. Mr. Kuzdas is a real estate developer and investor who believe in building innovation & Sustainable Energy homes. The CEO and developers of Jazztown USA is looking to build new homes for its community, and would like to get the process done 30%-40% faster at a cost savings of
10%-20% of the original stick built method while building a stronger product. We are very interested in sustainability, renewable energy, smart home technology, and energy efficient home components integrated with green living. We like the concept of S 2 Modular homes because of the inclusion of a residential storage battery, such as the Tesla Powerwall for example and Tesla solar roof tiles, while adding high energy efficient windows, doors, insulation, heating, etc. to maximize the battery’s use. Jazztown USA developer “William Doc Jones” Wants to build a community or subdivision of homes quicker, stronger and for less money. Join the movement to build affordable housing for Creative Artist. Jazztownusa.com Po Box 42281 85080 jazzdayaz@gmail.com 602-527998
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JAZZTOWN USA COULD SAVE MUSICIANS FROM HOMELESSNESS
we need Workforce untis for musicains now! Workforce Housing Community, Jazz Town USA, As Doc Jones cruised around the streets of Chicago in could save Phoenix’s struggling artists from 2019, he pointed out the neighborhoods in which he once lived. As he visited the place where the Robert Taylor going homeless Phoenix, AZ - Jazz Town USA is a new community
initiative, designed to help Jazz and Blues musicians struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic. William Doc Jones considers himself one of the lucky ones. Doc, Executive Director of International Jazz Day AZ Foundation and President of Jazz Town USA, was born and raised in Chicago. He moved to Phoenix 30 years ago with wife Shirley and children to pursue his career as a jazz musician. With just a saxophone and a keyboard, Doc has been able to sustain himself. Doc acknowledges that most other musicians in Phoenix have not been as fortunate. “When I moved to Phoenix in 1986, the music scene was thriving,” says Doc, “but then came the savings and loan crisis of the early 1990’s, followed later by the 2008 real estate crash which devastated the arts community.” Now, with the current Covid-19 pandemic, the arts community has once again been devastated financially. A growing number of music venues have temporarily or permanently closed their door. This has exacerbated the cost-of-living challenges that already struggling musicians face. The lack of affordable housing for musicians and other artists has been an issue for the arts community for decades. And even before the pandemic, local musicians were struggling to afford the skyrocketing rent in Phoenix and surrounding cities. “Phoenix rent is one of the fastest rising” according to a December 2019 AP article. (https://apnews.com/article/ ae1aed4b8c1303e57fe1ef6b148af222)
Homes used to be as a result, many musicians have been forced out of the city, often commuting into Phoenix and its surrounding cities for gigs. Projects once stood on 47 and State Street in one of the nation’s oldest black neighborhoods, he reflected on how inaccessible the area had become. “Everybody wants to live there now,” he said, pointing out the gentrified houses with the sky-high rents. What used to be home to some of the greatest jazz and blues musicians was now completely unaffordable for musicians in 2020. The affordable housing crisis playing out for creative artists is not limited to Chicago and Phoenix. Cities across the country have struggled to develop housing solutions for artists as urban rents skyrocket and wages stagnate. The unfortunate outcome is that musicians and other artists continue to be priced out of the very neighborhoods where they have performed during their entire lives. “Many musicians must make do in substandard housing, but this isn’t sustainable,” says Doc. In 2016, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, (NEA) arts and culture contributed 4.3% to the nation’s GDP. “If you don’t get musicians and cultural artists affordable housing and rents, it’s going to hurt the cultural economy,” say’s Doc. “We are going to kill the goose that can bring tourism back to our cities.”
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JAZZTOWN USA BUILDING A GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING!
JAZZTOWN USA AFFORDABLE HOUSING
JOIN THE MOVEMENT BECOME A MEMBER jazztownusa.com
JOIN THE MOVEMENT BECOME A MEMBER
Grassroots organizing is one of the essential capacities we have to carry out for a successful Jazztown USA campaign. Tapping into the power of grassroots organizing will bring an important voice to workforce/affordable housing for jazz & blues musicians. In addition, grassroots organizing builds the power needed for this project to achieve its goal. Without the power of a significant number of informed and organized creative Artist supporters, even the best pro-affordable housing policy agenda will often fail.
Whether the aim is to pass or prevent passage of legislation on a particular / Workforce/ affordable housing issue, defend against cuts to critical public programs, or educate a particular constituency about the impact of a law or regulation, Jazztown USA will be seeking to advance a workforce/ affordable housing agenda for creative artists, and it must have five advocacy capacities to succeed.
JAZZTOWN USA
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
These five advocacy capacities build the foundation for a greater system of advocacy, moving ideas from opportunities to policy change with supporting capacities of leadership and evaluation. Priority One: Advocate for HUD and USDA Rural Development Funding. Priority Two: Champion the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Priority Three: Pioneer workforce/ affordable housing as a platform for improved health. Priority Four: Improve federal support for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Priority Five: Support charitable giving through philanthropy and community partnerships.
The tool includes information about both building our internal grassroots organizing capacity and building that capacity by developing strong partnerships with other organizations like Tanner properties with any path Jazztown USA chooses, we will seek out collaborations opportunities from our friends and associates who have experience with developing and financing workforce/affordable housing projects to help us to build a strong grassroots base, thereby enhancing our ability to attact investors to invest in the campaign.
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Jazz Day AZ Foundation Petition for Workforce/Affordable Housing Initiative Presented to Phoenix Citizens
The International Jazz Day Arizona Foundation is asking Phoenix voters to support their workforce/affordable housing initiative by signing the petition attached. The Foundation has plans to build subsidized housing for local Jazz and Blues musicians but needs public backing in order to obtain support from local government and public/private developers. Phoenix and its creative artists have been struggling with rising rent prices and unstable employment over the past two decades. Today, a number of creative artist and musicians face the uncertainty of employment and even homelessness due to the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. With more and more music venues closing their doors, as well as local lockdowns interrupting any steady gigs, musicians in Phoenix are finding it impossible to maintain their careers while also supporting themselves or their families. The Jazz Day Arizona Foundation (JDAZF’s) primary goal is to introduce low-income housing that will aid struggling artist and the arts community. The JDAZF wants to ensure that the arts scene is not permanently lost throughout Arizona. Our new initiative, which is also known as Jazz Town USA, has set a goal to build a grassroots movement to raise funds, offer short-term housing, and create concert venues for musicians who have been negatively impacted by the Corona virous pandemic. However, this could prove to be difficult, says Doc Jones, President of The Jazz Day Arizona Foundation. “Building workforce/affordable housing requires contributions from a mix of financial sources”. These financial sources generally include a combination of federal, state, and local sources, as well as philanthropic private and corporate funding. “Jazz Town USA is looking for abandoned school buildings and vacant properties, as well as bridge loan to achieve our goal”. Once the loan is repaid, the city can redistribute monies into other residential development projects for creative artists. This JZAZF hosing and business development project, which requires a charge in area zoning or special city approval, will be included within this planning initiative. “JZAZF and its investment group, propose to build 150 affordable housing units in the city of Phoenix, over the next 5 years”, says Doc Jones.
“Jazz and The Blues, as art forms, are an American Institution accepted, copied, and played around the world. Artist of international repute reside in Arizona” say Doc Jones. One of Jazz Town USA’s continuing goals is to directly contribute to and improve the lives and living conditions of musicians and artist in Arizona. “By creating a not-for-profit organization, that serves both artist and the public in the interest of furthering the cause of the performing arts, we hope to create an institution that serves artist for years to come”, states Doc Jones. This initiative, which is planned to be introduced to Arizona voters in mid-2022, requires project and commercial building developers to reserve 15% of the building development projects and properties for musicians and artist to rent at reduced market prices. The Jazz Town USA’s coalition of developers will lobby hoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and CEO of Phoenix IDA(Industrial Delvelopment Authority) to support our plan to provide 200 affordable housing units for musicians and creative artist by the year 2025. Jones says, “Our initial phase to raise funds for developing housing units for artist, begins with funding sources such as city government agencies, the Phoenix IDA, private donors, and revenues from International Day Festivals during the year 2021. “Repurposing public land and facilities will lower the costs for development thereby, producing workforce/affordable housing for musicians and creative artist”, says Jones. By petitioning funding from local and national government, Jazz Town USA could likely be a monumental and essential addition to the city of Phoenix. By supporting Arizona musicians and artist, Jazz, The Blues, and the arts can be protected and preserved from the most damaging consequences of the 2020 pandemic. Building with green, environmentally friendly materials ensure that buildings are eco-friendly. These demands are included in the on-going discussions with developers, community leaders and investors in order to achieve these environmental goals. Continue next page 5
JAZZTOWN USA PETITION DRIVE
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Our plans for developing these residential units require developers, working under the prime contractor’s agreement require all contractors and subcontractors, to not discriminate in their selection, hiring, promotion and termination practices in accordance with federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws protecting applicants and workers for employment. JazzTown USA wants to ensure that this initiative aids those most affected by the rising rent prices and gentrification of Phoenix neighborhoods. The new initiative, which is also known as Jazz Town USA, wants to build a grassroots movement that will raise funds, find short-term housing and create concert venues for musicians who have been negatively affected by the pandemic. The end goal for Jazz Town USA is to directly improve the life of musicians, as well as being a voice of comfort and hope to the less privileged Jazz and Blues musicians in Arizona. By building an innovative and effective non-profit that also has significant support and public backing,
Since 2012, William “Doc” Jones and his foundation have promoted International Jazz Day to raise awareness for Jazz and appreciation of the Arts through education nation-wide. This non-profit organization has created, directed, and participated in numerous musical performances and celebrations during International Jazz Day observances. Doc Jones and his associate’s performances have raised substantial funds to aid various causes in Phoenix, its surrounding cities and around the country. The development of Jazz Town USA could be a turning-point for musicians all over the United States, as the initiative will help more of the public recognize the monumental impact Blues and Jazz has had on American culture.
Jazz Town USA goal will have a landmark impact for years to come. The initiative, which is planned to be put before voters in 2022, requires developers to reserve 15% of certain properties for musicians to rent out at below market prices. However, only properties that require a zoning charge or special city approval will be included within this initiative. The foundation wants to build 150 affordable housing units in the next 5 years.
We ask that you please sign the attached petition and lobby your local government officials and persons of influence, to support Jazz Town USA’s attempt to develop and build residential units for disadvantaged musicians and artist in Arizona. Endeavors of this nature are in place in cities across the country to aid musicians and creative artist that have been adversely affected by the COVID pandemic and the economic downturn in America.
The Jazz Town USA Coalition also plans to lobby Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and CEO of Phoenix IDA to provide 200 workforce/ affordable housing units for Creative Artist by 2025. The program hopes to be funded by city agencies, Phoenix IDA, private donors, and revenues from International Day Festivals. However, this could prove to be difficult, says Doc. Housing requires complicated financing, usually a combination of federal, state, local, and philanthropic funding.
Sincerely, William “Doc” Jones, Executive Director of International Jazz Day AZ Foundation President of Jazz Town USA, Attachment Petition of Support for Jazz Town USA
Arizona’s musicians and creative artist across the country need your support! Thank you,
B&B Developement and Construction Joined Doc Jones to to build housing for Jazz & Blues Musicians
“Jazz Town USA is looking for abandoned school buildings and vacant properties, as well as a bridge loan to get things up and running. Once the loan is repaid, the city can then cycle Helping the Creative Artists that money into other development projects Several cities are experimenting with programs and other innovative for creative artists. “Repurposing public land and facilities brings down development costs so that we can make housing more affordable.”By petitioning funding from local and national governments, Jazz Town USA is likely to be a monumental and essential addition to Phoenix, and by supporting Arizona musicians Jazz and Blues will be protected and preserved from the most damaging consequences of the 2020 pandemic.
housing solutions that give private developers like Doc Jones and Brian Hopkins an incentive to create workforce housing for Jazz and Blues musicians. Now more than ever before is the time for Phoenix to also introduce programs to aid its struggling artists and musicians. Doc Jones, with International Jazz Day AZ Foundation, has plans to build 200 worlforce/affordable housing units for Phoenix’s Jazz and Blues musicians in the next five years. Doc has called upon B&B to collaborate with him to build Jazz Town USA. This new workforce/affordable housing program will allow creative professionals to take out low-interest loans to purchase property, rehab existing structures, or build new buildings in which to live and work..
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JOIN THE JAZZ DAY AZ MOVEMENT BECOME A MEMBER TODAY ! Membership benefits include:
BECOME A MEMBER! International Jazz Day AZ Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuate and advance the cultural art form of jazz through festivals performances, education and outreach activities. Our activities are supported in part through membership donations, sale of our magazines, and events we sponsors. Membership is an investment in the continuation of this great American music. Your membership donation helps to support our jazz festivals presentations every April (Jazz Appreciation Month), free in-school jazz lessons, free jazz concerts in the community, free jazz jam sessions for students musicians, “The Doc Jones Jazz Scholarship” Program and other jazz related events and activities. Join the Jazz Day AZ Social Club and enjoy the benefits of belonging to a successful organization dedicated to the preservation and presentation of jazz.
• Discount for a full season subscription to the Jazz Concert Series • Discounts for individual jazz concert tickets • Annual Int’l Jazz Day Newsletter, monthly E-News emails, concert and event email reminders • Advance notification of upcoming I.J.D.AZ.F events and activities • Invitations to special events including the annual Int’l Jazz Day Gala event • Knowledge that you’re doing your part to help keep jazz alive in our community The membership year extends from May 1 to April 30 of each year. Membership is renewed annually. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ARE LISTED BELOW. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ARE Single $60 Dual/Patron $100 Silver Jazz Club $250 Gold Jazz Club $500 Platinum Jazz Club $1000 (includes special jazz events) “25 for 25” Silver Circle
Responsibilities of JazzDay AZ Membership • Opportunities for service Consider scheduling a formal orientation program in several sessions to enhance retention of information. During the first six months, new Jazz Day AZ members can expand their understanding of Int’l Jazz Day AZ Foundation in these ways: • Attending new member orientation meetings • The Jazz Day AZ Foundation Quick Reference Guide • Visiting the Int’l Jazz Day Learning Center at www.jazzdayaz.com • Attending one or more of the following club functions: Jazz Day AZ Club assembly - Board meeting - Committee meeting • Completing one or more of the following tasks: - Give a classification talk at a club meeting. Make up a meeting at another Jazz Day AZ club on one of the 6 locations we plan to start clubs in over the next 36 months. - Invite a guest to a club meeting or propose a new member. • Attending one or more district meetings (listed in order of priority):
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District conference - District assembly District Int’l Jazz Day AZ Foundation seminar • Choosing a club committee on which to serve See New Member Orientation for more ideas. Involve new members in Jazz Day AZ club committees, activities, fundraisers, board meetings, weekly Jazz Day AZ club meetings, and social activities. An involved member will feel a part of the Jazz Day AZ club and make Int’l Jazz AZ Foundation a personal priority. Consider the following methods of getting members involved in Jazz Day AZ club activities: • Assign new members to a committee, or give them a weekly meeting assignment. • We need to create special name badges for new members to wear for one year. Encourage other members to look for the badges and make an extra effort to talk with the new members. • Assign a new member to be a greeter, take attendance, or introduce a new speaker. • Have a new member serve as a delegate to the district conference to learn about the world of UNESCO and Herbie Hancock and the projects being done outside of our Jazz Day AZ club. Our club assists the new member by paying part or all of the registration fees and costs of the conference. After the conference, ask the new member to give a report to the club. • Introduce a “commencement” program, where all Jazz Day AZ club members who join in the same Int’l Jazz Day year work together on a project. • Encourage new members to experience the Internationality of Jazz Day by attending our Int’l Jazz Day Convention we plan on having in 2022 (11th Annual); • Ask new members to find two or three other new members from among their peer group. When new members promote Int’l Jazz Day AZ Foundation to their friends, they become stronger and more enthused about Jazz Day AZ. Many clubs find it wise to involve the new member’s sponsor during this process. The sponsor keeps close contact with the new Jazz Day member for the first six months or until the new member is truly involved in the Jazz Day AZ club. Educate all Jazz Day AZ club members so they have enough knowledge to take the initiative and become more active. We must understand that Some Jazz Day AZ members will resign from their Jazz Day AZ clubs because they feel uninformed that’s where our monthly news letters come in. Jazz Day AZ Clubs should have a continuing education policy in place to keep existing members up-to date on Int’l Jazz Day AZ Foundation and the Jazz Day AZ club. Such a program would include: • Frequent communication of 504 Multi Media International publication and Jazz Day AZ club news letter and information • Two or more Monthly Jazz Day AZ club programs a year focused on continuing education • Participation of club members in multidistrict meetings that address continuing education • At least two club assemblies a year focused on education • District-level seminars on continuing Arts and Cultural education • Sharing of ideas and information on Int’l Jazz Day AZ programs, projects, and activities at committee meetings • Attendance of club members at meetings of other clubs Refer to the Membership Development Resource Guide for more information on developing our new membership development action plan..
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