willard jenkins

My responsibility at Arts Midwest is as coordinator of the NEA Jazz Masters "Live" grant program which enables presenting organizations across the country to present NEA Jazz Masters in expanded presentations beyond their customary band performances. These might include residencies, commissions, speaking engagements, special project realizations, etc.

I have been a contributor to jazz music and general interest publications since 1973, including daily newspapers and numerous periodicals. My current print affiliations are with DownBeat, JazzTimes, and Jazzwise magazines. I am also the publisher of The Independent Ear periodic blog at www.openskyjazz.com.

Produce concerts & festivals; consult with not-for-profit jazz presenting and service organizations.

* Concert & festivals production/artistic direction * artist & organization consultant * journalist-broadcaster

Board member; founder, Jazz Education Network Mentor Program

As of December, 2014 I am the Artistic Director of the annual DC Jazz Festival. My prior festival artistic direction served one of America's premier education-based jazz festivals, Tri-C JazzFest (Cleveland), where I served as Artistic Director for 18 years. Additionally I have served as Artistic Director of two annual jazz concert series at Tribeca Performing Arts Center (New York, NY) for the past ten years. I curate two annual series there: Lost Jazz Shrines, which celebrates the unique legacy of important jazz venues in New York, and Jazz in Progress which features new and emerging jazz artists. I have also consulted with Berklee College of Music for their BeanTown Jazz Festival, and with numerous other arts presenting organizations. As always I am open to other venues and assisting other organizations in successful jazz presentation. Peace, Willard Jenkins www.openskyjazz.com Home of The Independent Ear