The State of IAJE

[Lois Gilbert]

Recently an email went to select members asking for donations of $25 or as much as you donate, as well as suspension of the quarterly journal and scholarship.

I've waited to post a thread about the financial difficulties of IAJE, with the hope that something would be posted on their own website. But nothing -- and in private conversations I've had with fellow IAJE members -- for a non-profit organization of this magnitude for US - jazz educators, fans and industry not to have at the very least some disclosure is peturbing.

I get at least 2 phone calls or emails a day wondering if IAJE in Seattle will be going on.

A few days ago Willard Jenkins weighed in on his perspective of the state of IAJE:
http://openskyjazz.com/blog

I hope you will read Willard Jenkins' blog as well as the comments. I hope that JazzCorner's Speakeasy can be a place where we can have open dialogue.

[Ron Thorne]

As a relatively recent observer, and one who almost spent a great deal of money to attend an IAJE Conference, this is disturbing news on many levels.

If true, it's even more disturbing that a pro-jazz organization may be in trouble when it probably shouldn't be. If untrue, who's behind this fabrication...and why?

[Lois Gilbert]

Sadly, these are not fabrications. IAJE is in trouble. Executive Director Bill McFarlin resigned shortly after IAJE in Toronto.
The whole organization is in upheaval, and their non-disclosure of why McFarlin left, why the treasurer resigned,
at the very least does not bode well for the stability or trust in this organization.

Here is the original email sent out I believe on March 26

Dear friends, colleagues, and IAJE members,

I am writing on behalf of the IAJE Board to enlist your support in what
is clearly the most challenging time in the Association's history.

For nearly 40 years, IAJE has played an absolutely vital role in
assuring the continued worldwide growth and development of jazz and jazz
education. Although IAJE employs professional staff dedicated to
carrying out our collective mission, it is you, our members, who have
supported and shaped the organization into what it is today -- the
gathering point for the worldwide jazz community!

If you have ever attended the Annual International Conference, read a
helpful article in the "Jazz Education Journal", attended a "Teacher
Training Institute", received guidance or information from the expert
*Resource Team*, or grown in any number of ways from making new contacts
with IAJE's diverse and dedicated membership, you know the value of IAJE firsthand.
IAJE is a passionate and respected advocate for jazz in our
society and jazz education in our schools. Quite simply, there is no
association like it!

Unfortunately, IAJE presently finds itself facing significant challenges
that threaten its ability to continue to meet its vital mission.
** IAJE's Campaign for Jazz*, envisioned over 5 years ago as a means of
endowing IAJE's programs and thus (ironically) assuring its fiscal
stability, has not performed as hoped or expected. The initial
investment necessary to launch the Campaign was quite significant and,
while many have been quite generous with their pledges of support, the
money has arrived much slower than anticipated or needed. In short, IAJE
invested heavily in this campaign and has not come close to recouping
its expenses, resulting in the accumulation of significant debt.
** The Toronto conference*, while an incredible event (and the usual
great "hang"), experienced very poor attendance -- down by nearly 40%
from previous years. Many factors beyond IAJE's control influenced this:
the high cost of airfares, the weakness of the American dollar, and new
passport requirement for U.S. citizens. Nevertheless, this situation
left us with an additional debilitating financial loss.

Given the cumulative and devastating effect of these setbacks, the Board
has had to take a realistic look at our current financial position and
has made the very difficult decision to temporarily suspend the
following programmatic operations for the time being so that we may
focus all of our attention on the health of this vital association. This
will include the:

* Search for a new Executive Director
* Park City Jazz Summit in Park City, Utah
* All scholarship programs
* Production of the Jazz Education Journal

The IAJE website will continue to operate along with opportunities for
members to access the Resource Team, online publications, and other
member benefits. Current plans are to resume publication of the JEJ as
early as the end of summer.

A Transition Team has been appointed by the Board to help guide IAJE
through this difficult time. As an association that has seen phenomenal
growth in both its membership and programming over the past 40 years, we
have reached a point where significant changes have to be made.
Therefore, we anticipate utilizing this as an opportunity to restructure
the Association in ways that will not only ensure its future fiscal
health but will position it to better meet the needs of our members. To
facilitate this restructuring, we will, therefore, be postponing
Executive Board elections until later this summer. Ultimately, we are
confident that IAJE will emerge from this a much stronger, more vibrant
association.

We cannot do this without your help, however! To ensure IAJE is able to
meet these very immediate challenges, we need EVERY member to send a
small donation by the end of March!! We are suggesting a minimum of $25
but, clearly, if you can afford to give more, we need you to! It is
vital that all who value the work of this Association participate in
this effort in some small way. Quite frankly, even the Seattle
Conference may be affected if this appeal is not successful. So, please
help us! Help us NOW! If we are to keep the voice of jazz alive and the
profession healthy for the future, we need IAJE. And, right now, IAJE
needs YOU!

*Here is how to make your immediate contribution:*
** Click on the "donate now" button* at top or go to the IAJE website
and click on the "donate" button
** Donate by phone* with a credit card by calling 785-776-8744
** Mail a check to:* IAJE, P O Box 724, Manhattan KS 66505-0724 USA

Sincerely,

Chuck Owen
President, IAJE

[Lois Gilbert]

Even though this email went to members - there is now nothing on iaje.org of a disclosure nature. They are according to the website accepting ads for the Journal and while there was a donate now button, it's been replaced with a google search button.

It pisses me off Ron, because people like you, kids you teach, jazz libraries and schools, jazz societies, etc might easily right now becoming a member, when the organization is in such flux.

Please don't get me wrong, I support the proliferation of IAJE - I want this organization to continue esp for all those kids who have their eyes wide open to becoming a jazz musician or adminstrator or teacher. At the very least convey what was in the email on the website. I think an organization owes their members an explaination and so far there has been none.

It's the big elephant in the room.

[Ron Thorne]

Everything associated with this most recent news makes me angry ... and very sad.

To add insult to injury, Patti and I were thinking seriously about attending IAJE 2009 in Seattle, because it's nearby, it's a city we enjoy, and we have family there.

Willard Jenkins' blog doesn't paint a picture of much except greed and gloom, unfortunately. No fingers pointed, just a sad observation.

[tippy]

Wow, this situation is a profound embarrassment to say the least. Very discouraging in a time of what seems like constant bad news.

[Valerie]

yes, this situation indeed provokes all kinds of emotions, including sadness, disappointment and anger. i had been hearing rumblings for awhile so was not totally surprised. and after "hanging" with one of the major players this summer on the north sea cruise, i came away with my suspicions about a certain person's ethics and character! as one who has for many years attended the conferences, i will very much miss them. but, as lois pointed out, it's the youngsters/students who we worry about. the fact is that i don't often hear about any organizations that are free of power struggles, greed, out-of-whack egos, and financial misappropriations! very sad but true.

[jazzy mary]

is the Seattle conference not going to happen?

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

is the Seattle conference not going to happen?

sure doesn't look like it right now!

[Scott Yanow]

I've heard nothing about IAJE cancelling the Seattle conference, so let's not start rumors. I'm planning on going unless IAJE does cancel it. There is absolutely no reason for that organization to be short on money, so if they are, then one can only suspect incompetence and/or corruption.

[Ron Thorne]

Scott, if you read Willard Jenkins' recent blog entries on IAJE, you might feel as helpless and angry as others who've posted on this thread.

Willard Jenkins' Blog

[Scott Yanow]

I've read it. Doesn't mean that Seattle is not going to happen.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Scott Yanow

I've read it. Doesn't mean that Seattle is not going to happen.

Agreed, I wasn't suggesting that. Nor was I attempting to "start rumors" with my earlier post.

The following doesn't exactly sound encouraging, though.

"Currently it seems prospects are pretty hopeless for the planned January 2009 IAJE conference in beautiful Seattle."

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Scott Yanow

I've heard nothing about IAJE cancelling the Seattle conference, so let's not start rumors. I'm planning on going unless IAJE does cancel it. There is absolutely no reason for that organization to be short on money, so if they are, then one can only suspect incompetence and/or corruption.

scott: what i said was that it didn't look like it was going to happen from the way things look right now. no one is starting rumors here, as far as i can see.

and you mentioned "incompetence and/or corruption," well, that is what it is looking like right now as well!

best,

valerie

[makpjazz57]

I'm not going, but if I could, my only concern would be:

if they had to cancel, would it be easy enough for them to reimburse the registration fee to attendees?

Marla

[Lois Gilbert]

Originally Posted by Scott Yanow

I've heard nothing about IAJE cancelling the Seattle conference, so let's not start rumors. I'm planning on going unless IAJE does cancel it. There is absolutely no reason for that organization to be short on money, so if they are, then one can only suspect incompetence and/or corruption.

Scott, as others have reiterated no one here is spreading rumors, but by the email I posted -- received from Chuck Owen, obviously IAJE is in trouble. Did you receive the email?
What Willard Jenkins posted was his perspective.

What I'm suggesting is based on the email, based on conversations I've had with very proactive members including college admins, the executive director of another non-profit who went to Manhattan, KS to evaluate and examine their books, from a businessman that IAJE employs who was asked to forgive the money IAJE owes his company and suggested he take it as a "write-off" and many other examples I could cite --is some disclosure - not to leave people in abeyance -- not just about the conference, but the state of the whole organization.

On a personal note, I know some of what transgressed, and in my opinion, there was an abuse of power, but given it's not in print anywhere, I can't address the facts as I know them.

Peace and light
Lois

[Bill Barton]

It looks like everything is still "up in the air" regarding Seattle according to what I've heard in correspondence with IAJE members on the East Coast.

Let's hope that the dust settles soon and we can know for sure whether Seattle is "on" or not.

It would certainly be a shame if it's not going to happen. I'm not a member of IAJE but have been considering joining so that I can participate in the Seattle conference. Those plans are now on hold until I hear more details.

[Chris D]

Many times, organizations announce a capital campaign and just wait for the money to roll in.

Development does not work that way.

[Lois Gilbert]

IAJE CONFERENCE IS CANCELLED

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

American jazz gathering, planned for Seattle, is canceled
By Paul de Barros

Seattle Times jazz critic

The most important American jazz gathering of the year, scheduled to take place in Seattle in January, has been canceled because its presenter is declaring bankruptcy.

In what is being described as a "perfect storm" of bad luck, unchecked growth, fundraising and management failures, the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) — an important link to Seattle's successful school jazz-band scene — has collapsed.

According to IAJE's legal counsel, Alan Bergman, it will go into Chapter 7 bankruptcy and be turned over to a trustee, its assets parceled out to creditors.

A letter from the group's president, Chuck Owen, is scheduled to go out to members as early as today, announcing the bankruptcy — and essentially the dissolution — of the 40-year-old organization.

"It's a dark day," said band director Clarence Acox, whose award-winning Garfield High School jazz band has performed at IAJE's gathering four times.

"It's one of the best jazz events in the world, for the performances by great musicians, clinics, meetings, a place for people to network and exchange ideas. It was the one event when all the people in jazz could get together and have fellowship."

Roosevelt High School band director Scott Brown, whose band has played the conference as well, agreed.

"I'm bummed," said Brown. "We had hoped to perform, but it's way more global than that. It's exposure to so much music that's going on around the world, to information about the business, networking, clinicians."

IAJE meets in different cities each year, but often in New York.

It began in 1968 as a modest professional gathering of jazz-music teachers, holding its first conference in 1973.

In 1997, the conference embraced an "industry track," absorbing another convention previously sponsored by JazzTimes magazine, which brought in record companies, agents, managers, radio professionals and high-profile performers such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones.

Since then, the organization has formed chapters worldwide and has become the site for the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Awards ceremony; commissions of new works; an academic conference; programs to promote women in jazz; and a wide array of other programs, including a teacher-training institute.



In a good year, the conference attracts 7,000 to 8,000 people, a must-attend for anyone involved in jazz.

Rumors that the organization was in trouble surfaced after this year's dramatically underattended conference in Toronto, down 40 percent.

In a March 25 letter to 8,000 members, Owen announced the suspension of IAJE's magazine, its search for a new executive director, its scholarship programs and its summer retreat.

The letter also explained that the organization's ambitious capital campaign had spent more money in startup costs than it took in.

Owen asked members to donate $25 and netted about $12,000 from 250 donors, according to Bergman. Greg Yasinitzy, IAJE's Northwest division coordinator, said he had been told IAJE liabilities exceeded $1 million.

Bergman said he felt the organization's rapid growth had outstripped the expertise of its founders.

"A bunch of jazz musicians formed this organization and it grew into a multimillion-dollar operation with a huge convention and a big staff and big journal, but it was still run by a volunteer board elected by the membership that met twice a year."

Though the conference in Seattle has been canceled, there is already talk of a regional conference that may take place instead.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ucators18.html

[kedoane]

I'm very much sadden by this turn in events. I have been supporting the IAJE for the past couple of years. I couldn't go to their conferences however due to my caregiving responsibilities for my mom. I was thinking about going to the conference in Seattle next year, but since they are apparently not going to have one, I guess I won't.

I guess that I'll stay local this year and go to the San Jose Jazz Festival (unless that gets cancelled!)

[Peterdubya]

I do think that IAJE will resurface and get back to focusing on the E part of their name.

This is a shame, but not completely unexpected.

[Mike Schwartz]

John Bishop (Origin Records) joking recently regarding the possibilty of the IAJE conference being cancelled, volunteered inviting everyone over to his place for snacks and to listen to some records.

I'll bring the dip!!

[twisted]

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

I do think that IAJE will resurface and get back to focusing on the E part of their name.

This is a shame, but not completely unexpected.

This is my hope too.

[Scott Yanow]

I stand corrected. This is a completely unnecessary tragedy.

Incompetence and corruption reign supreme. Well at least now I have an extra $1,500 to spend elsewhere. Amoeba Records here I come!

[GoodSpeak]

Originally Posted by Scott Yanow

I stand corrected. This is a completely unnecessary tragedy.

Incompetence and corruption reign supreme. Well at least now I have an extra $1,500 to spend elsewhere. Amoeba Records here I come!

Pick up a few CDs for me, too


No, seriously, this is a real tragedy for the Jazz/Music educators at the HS level. That is the breeding ground for our future Jazz musicians and it saddens me to read this thread and the demise of IAJE.

[Chris Kelsey]

Disgusting, sad, and not-at-all surpising.

The IAJE lost its way when it decided to become an arm of the jazz industry, rather than continue on an educational track.

Yet another example of jazz trying to be something it's not.

Bring back the NAJE of Leon Breeden, Rich Matteson, Ashley Alexander, et al...

[Ron Thorne]

I can happily say that I knew Rich Matteson, and he would certainly be a great role model for what jazz education should and can be. And, he was a hell of a musician. I remember many nights sitting in the downstairs jazz lounge of The Woodshed in Anchorage marveling at Rich playing bass trumpet or flugelhorn with one hand and piano with the other in his trio, The Outsiders.

Greed and incompetence know no boundaries.

[Chris Kelsey]

I didn't know Rich well, but I met him on a few occasions, and my dad (who knew him from North Texas) played in his big band when Rich relocated to Jacksonville in the mid '80s. You're absolutely right; the man could play, and he had the best interests of his students at heart.

I know nothing about it, but I suspect this is something more along the lines of what a jazz education organization should be: The Rich Matteson Foundation.

[cookie]

Terrible. Just terrible. I'm really disappointed.

Any possibility MENC could be persuaded to pick up some of the educational workshops that would have been presented at Seattle? At least that would offer some professional development opportunities for jazz teachers in the absence of IAJE programming.

[Lois Gilbert]

Dear IAJE Family,*

It is with a great sense of loss that I inform you that despite drastic
efforts to cut expenses and raise emergency funds, the IAJE Board has
voted to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Federal Bankruptcy
Law. I want to thank profusely those who responded with their generous
donations and offers of assistance following my last communication.
While over 250 individuals contributed just over $12,000, this, along
with the many other efforts and contributions of IAJE staff, Board
members, and association partners, was simply not enough to address the
accumulated debt of the organization or its urgent need for cash relief.

In the next few days, a Kansas bankruptcy court will appoint a trustee
to oversee all ongoing aspects of the association. This includes the
ability to examine IAJE's financial records and mount an independent
inquiry into the causes of it's financial downfall as well as disposing
of the remaining assets of the association with proceeds distributed to
creditors in accordance with Kansas and Federal law. The board will no
longer be involved in operation of the organization and will at some
point resign. IAJE as it presently stands will no longer exist.

Approximately a week after filing, all potential creditors of the
association will receive notice of the association's filing from the
court. Members who desire additional information regarding the petition,
including a complete listing of association assets and liabilities, may
retrieve this, as it is a public document, through normal court
procedures. Undoubtedly, however, you will have more immediate questions
deserving of responses I hope to address in this report.

Since the first communication to the membership outlining this crisis,
there has been considerable public speculation as to its causes. As
noted in that communication, years of dependence upon the conference as
a primary (but unreliable) revenue stream and the launch of a
well-intentioned capital campaign (the Campaign for Jazz), which
generated a meager response but required considerable expenditures in
advance of contributions, drove the association into insolvency. Sadly,
the attendance at the conference in Toronto (the lowest in 10 years)
exacerbated an already critical situation, depriving the association of
the cash-flow needed to continue daily operations as well as the time
needed to seek alternative resources.

While ultimately not able to skirt the financial land mines placed in
its path, I want to assure you the IAJE Board has acted responsibly,
ethically, and with a sense of urgency ever since it was blindsided last
fall with the discovery of the extent of the accumulated association
debt. Since that time, the board slashed spending, set specific
performance targets for the Executive Director, sought outside
consultations, and enlisted the services of several past-presidents and
strategic association partners in attempts to raise funds - sadly, with
minimal success.

It goes without saying, the board you elected is comprised of very
accomplished, intelligent, and dedicated educators and professionals who
have given generously of their time in service to this association and
care about it passionately. Likewise, our entire professional staff, led
by Associate Executive Director, Vivian Orndorff, and Executive
Producer, Steve Baker, has worked heroically in the face of declining
resources to meet the needs of the association and its members. I wanted
to take this opportunity to thank both the board and staff for their
service. I have been privileged and honored to serve with them. While
there may be those who question specific decisions or strategies in
efforts to meet this crisis, the dedication and integrity of these
individuals should never be in doubt.

As we move forward, one of the most pressing questions is how the
operations of individual chapters and affiliated associations will be
affected by this filing. Since our chapters are either separate
corporate entitles or voluntary associations with their own boards,
constitutions and bylaws; IAJE views them as completely independent
entities. Ultimately, however, the trustee and the court will make this
determination and it is anticipated that the trustee may request certain
information from the chapters in this regard.

Sadly, the 2009 IAJE International Conference in Seattle has been
cancelled. However, there has been some discussion of mounting a
regional conference in its place. At the moment, Lou Fischer, U.S. Board
Representative is fielding inquiries: ljazzmanf@yahoo.com
.

For the time being, the IAJE website will remain up. However, the
international offices of IAJE will close their doors at the end of the
day on Friday, April 18th. Should there be additional questions you may
submit them to info@iaje.org and every attempt
will be made to respond to these as staffing allows.

Today, we, the members of IAJE and the global jazz community, face an
extremely important task. For, as we all recognize, the opportunities,
impact, and work of this association are too vital to simply disappear.
Whether you were first drawn to IAJE for its conference, its magazine or
research publications, its student scholarship programs such as Sisters
in Jazz or the Clifford Brown/Stan Getz All-Stars, its Teacher Training
Institutes, the resources provided through its website or Resource Team,
or any one of a number of other offerings; it is clear the mission of
IAJE still resonates and its advocacy is needed today more than ever. We
must, therefore, look at this as an opportunity to refocus the mission,
scope, programs, and vision of IAJE (or whatever succeeds it) to better
meet the needs of our members and the jazz community not only today but
looking toward the future.

I am, in no way, suggesting the membership turn a blind eye towards the
need for an independent inquiry into causes and ultimately assigning
responsibility for this situation. I ask you recognize the court
appointed trustee, who will have access to all necessary documents and
facts, is charged with that task. Our efforts and our passion, should be
to collectively rally the community to recognize the importance IAJE has
had and continues to have in the life and development of jazz and jazz
education - seeking new strategic partnerships, new government
structures, and a revitalized mission that embraces current needs.

Already there are efforts to do just that. I know that Mary Jo Papich,
who would have begun serving her term as President of IAJE beginning
this July, is dedicated to recreating such an association. As many know,
Mary Jo has been a tireless advocate for IAJE, serving it long and well.
You will, undoubtedly, be hearing from her in the near future. When she
does contact you, I urge you to join me in offering her every support
and assistance. Of course, others may also seek to fill this void by
promoting alternative visions for empowering, serving, and gathering the
jazz community. While I generally believe such diversity is quite
healthy, I would strongly encourage all such efforts and leaders to
attempt to collaborate and seek ways to unite us in spirit and strength.

Finally, I would encourage you to recognize and remember IAJE for all
the tremendous good it has done in the past 40 years. Many individuals
have contributed along the way, often at considerable personal sacrifice
of their time and resources, to establish and advance the work of this
association. Much has been achieved that can never be taken away!
Therefore, the vision, effort, and shared passion that have fueled the
growth of IAJE and its programs should not be forgotten or considered in
vain. Rather, the spirit that is IAJE must be rekindled into a new
vision for the future.

Sincerely,


The IAJE Board - Chuck Owen, President