Introduction to the Directory of Jazz Societies

The Smithsonian Institution has a thirty-year record of leadership in jazz, and now operates the world’s most comprehensive set of jazz programs. It is the only institution that: collects artifacts, archival materials, and oral histories; operates a renowned big band (the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra); curates exhibitions and traveling exhibitions; offers research fellowships; publishes recordings, videos, books, and music editions of jazz; offers lectures and seminars for adults; and develops educational offerings for students. As well, it operates the new website, www.smithsonianjazz.org. Much of this work in jazz takes place at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

In July 2001, the National Museum of American History announced a major new initiative, Jazz Appreciation Month, together with the National Endowment for the Arts and a host of other distinguished partners. Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) will pay tribute to jazz as a historical and living treasure, with the first annual celebration scheduled for April, 2002. Schools, colleges, concert halls, museums, libraries, public broadcasters, and jazz societies will be encouraged to participate with programs of their own.

As a means of facilitating collaboration among neighboring jazz societies regarding JAM, educational programs, and other projects, we have developed this Directory of Jazz Organizations. During the summer of 2001, a survey was sent to several hundred jazz societies; perhaps one-half of them replied. The information herein comes largely from those completed surveys.

My heartfelt thanks to Roshni Lal, a graduate student in Museum Studies at The George Washington University, who compiled this directory during her summer internship here at the National Museum of American History.

John Edward Hasse, Ph.D.
Curator of American Music
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution

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