Jazz Forum Arts: How It All Started

As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary year, we will be sharing stories that shine a light on our rich history and the milestones that helped shape Jazz Forum Arts. Today I'd like to tell you how it all started.

In 1983, two important things happened: I closed my Jazz Forum loft/club which was at two Greenwich Village locations from 1979 to 1983 and I met Ellen (unfortunately in that order since Ellen never came to my first Jazz Forum).

In 1984, we held fundraising events at the Blue Note and in our apartment to try to raise funds to reopen the Jazz Forum. While there was lots of community support, the money wasn't there. So Ellen and I decided that the non-profit route would allow us to present community events with government, business and private support.

In 1985, several friends and prominent musicians – Dizzy Gillespie, David Amram and Wynton Marsalis – signed on as Board members when we established Jazz Forum Arts as a non-profit arts presenting organization. From the very beginning, we were committed to presenting great creative artists for free or low cost admission for the enjoyment of the general public.

Those early years were all about NYC's Riverside Park Rotunda (at 79th Street) where we presented emerging and established artists and groups in free outdoor summer concerts for 13 years. The attendees were the "beautiful mosaic" of NYC(a la David Dinkins) . Ellen passed through audiences: "Donations, donations, help support the music", my in-laws watched over the merch table and our kids spent their summers on the rim of the old fountain. Thus began our "Mom and Pop" operation.

I look back on the beginning with deep gratitude to everyone who believed in this mission. The energy, dedication and generosity of our community made it possible for us to bring this art form to countless people who might not otherwise have experienced it. Now, as we celebrate 40 years and look boldly toward the next 40, I invite you to join us.

Your tax-deductible donation to our 40th Anniversary Campaign will help ensure we can keep enriching the cultural life of our community for decades to come. Thank you, as always, for your support and for being an integral part of the Jazz Forum Arts family.

--
Mark Morganelli

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LOOKING BACK

Your support has always been the heart and soul of Jazz Forum Arts. As we embark on this celebratory year, we invite you to join us in making it our most important anniversary yet.

Your generous donations will enable us to continue presenting exceptional performances, expanding our educational outreach, and ensuring that the local live jazz community thrives for generations to come.

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