Fifteen Years and Counting (On You)
The approach of year-end reminds us of several important things, not the least of which is a reflection on what a monumental year 2023 was. Our fifteenth year as an independent 501c3 was our most ambitious and successful ever. We bounded back from our COVID hiatus with a record number of marquee and local programs, thanks in great part to the remarkable success we had on the fundraising front. That support includes foundation funding, business sponsorships, and — especially important — annual donations from individuals. Should you wish to make a donation this year, we welcome both first-time and follow-up donors with great appreciation. If you were one of those who have already sent a contribution, thank you once again.
2023 in Review
Our 2023 events were many and wide-ranging, starting with the January tribute to Berkshires Jazz Living Legend Mike Schiffer. Other memorable occasions included commissioning works by 10 different composers, presenting all of them in one February concert. This must have been some sort of record.
The year included concerts with:
NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis and the UMass Jazz Ensemble 1;
Rising phenom Emmet Cohen with the legendary Houston Person;
Ted Rosenthal performing Rhapsody in Blue with Kids 4 Harmony.
Plus,
Appearances by Claire Daly, Dominique Eade, alto sax young lioness Grace Kelly, the Django Festival Allstars.
And, the Lenox Jazz Stroll, the Fall Jazz Sprawl, the Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend, our Berkshire Jazz Showcase, and many other events featuring both local and touring artists.
Behind the scenes, we continued to conduct clinics and master classes with student musicians, some of whom performed on our main stage with festival headliners. We also sent groups into several schools to educate and entertain an audience that is becoming interestingly interested in our music. None of which would be possible with the support of underwriters, sponsors, and individual donors.
Contribute Now
To contribute now, visit our Support page, where you will find several ways to support Berkshires Jazz: PayPal, Venmo, check, and stock/securities. Edward Jones can assist with the latter, helping reduce or even eliminate taxes on the increased value of those securities, and letting us put more of your contribution to work.
Thanks to the generosity of businesses, foundations, and individuals, we will continue to support all three aspects of our mission: to preserve Jazz, our national cultural treasure, by (1) bringing world-class jazz to the Berkshires, (2) encouraging jazz education, and (3) promoting the local jazz scene. Our efforts will keep us busy, our audiences entertained, and our students educated, throughout the year.
Here’s some music to usher-in the season, Eddie Allen’s “Jazzy Brass for the Holidays” concert from 2022.
Thank you for your support, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.