A message from Chris Hodgkins, Director of Jazz Services UK
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Dear Colleague,
 
Please forgive me for the round-robin nature of this email but it is the only way I can reach everyone in one fell swoop.
 
I am reaching out directly for your help in getting the word out about a couple of initiatives that we hope will improve both the service we provide and the benefit to the jazz scene.  I would be very grateful if you could help us to get the news out on these two initiatives. 
 
The first initiative is the first ever survey of the Needs of the Jazz Community and gives everybody from musician, promoter, attenders, youth orchestras, educators, organisations - in fact the whole jazz scene - a chance to have their say.  This is a great opportunity to voice your opinions on the needs of the jazz community through an online survey hosted on our website.  
 
The purpose of the exercise is to ascertain the needs of the UK jazz constituency, which will strengthen our case for the equitable treatment of jazz in the UK and inform funding bodies, potential sponsors, Parliament and Government on what is required to continue to develop a healthy jazz scene.
 
By completing the survey you’ll be helping to address those needs and ensure that the jazz scene in the UK continues to grow, develop and maintain its vibrancy in the light of public sector cuts and an historical imbalance in the public funding of jazz.  It also helps us map the demographic of the scene and enable us to better understand our audience and those we’re trying to help.
 
What would also be of great help is if you can forward this email on to friends and colleagues with an interest in jazz.  The survey is a quick and simple online questionnaire, found on our website via the following link:
 
COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE1  (see below)
 
Closing date is Monday 19th November 2012.
 
Read the full press release about the survey and our needs research on our website:
 
PRESS RELEASE LINK2 (see below)
 
The second initiative is a campaign we have just commenced called Keep Jazz On The Road!
 
Sadly, Jazz Services has had to endure hefty funding cuts in recent times, and we are not alone; jazz promoters up and the country are feeling the pinch.  This means that there's suddenly a lot less money to pass around to promoters and musicians.  Inevitably, this will lead to gigs being cut, venues becoming harder to create and sustain and musicians being unable to come and play for you because they simply can't afford to.
 
As jazz can no longer rely on traditional funding sources, we're asking for help from one of the most important people in the jazz world - you!  We need you to help Jazz Services Keep Jazz On The Road!
 
If you make a donation of just £15 directly to Jazz Services (a registered charity) via Gift Aid - you'll be helping to keep jazz happening near you for the price of a round of drinks.  We need just 4000 of the UK's 500,000 jazz lovers to do this, so please encourage your friends and fellow listeners to do the same and Keep Jazz On The Road!  
 
To donate to Jazz Services, follow the link to our Donation page on the website.  All donors will receive 6 issues of JazzUK direct to their door.
 
LINK TO DONATIONS PAGE3 (see below)
 
For those who are able, Jazz Services also has a number of Keep Jazz On The Road donation cards, which we can send on for distribution through venues, shops, etc.  Please contact us for more info or if you would like to distribute the campaign cards.
 
I do hope you will be able to help and I very much hope that you will complete the Needs of the jazz Community research survey and persuade friends and colleagues to do the same.
 
Very many thanks for your help in this, it is greatly appreciated.
 
Best wishes,
 
Chris Hodgkins
Director, Jazz Services Ltd.
 
 
LINKS:
1 - http://www.jazzservices.org.uk/index.php/the-needs-of-the-jazz-community-survey
2 – http://www.jazzservices.org.uk/index.php/jazz-services-resources-press-releases/item/693-needs-research-press-release
3 - http://www.jazzservices.org.uk/index.php/jazz-services-resources-press-releases/item/693-needs-research-press-release
 
- ENDS - 
 
Jazz Services
132 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SW
T: 020 7928 9089
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www.jazzservices.org.uk