Jazz Passengers Music Projects, Inc
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jpmp 2018 Annual Report JAZZ PASSENGERS MUSIC PROJECTS INC SUBWAY MOON • HOME PHOTO: EVAN LAUBER contents 1. jpmp • About • Mission & Core Beliefs • Strategic Priorities • Team Members • Board Member Bios 2. projects Subway Moon HOME • Mission • What is Home? • About • Performance • History • Curriculum • Future 3. business • Financials • Fundraising • Partners • Acknowledgements • How to Find Us 1.1. jpmpjpmp ABOUT Jazz Passengers Music Projects, Inc. (JPMP) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization born from the multimedia performance projects of the Jazz Passengers—a downtown New York City jazz en- semble, founded in 1987, once described as a fantastical fusion of post-bop and musical comedy. The Jazz Passengers, through the cre- ative genius of band co-founder Roy Nathanson, have offered several unique performance projects over the decades, including The Rock Concert, a music/theatre piece inspired by the world’s oldest geologi- cal formation and performed at the University of Wisconsin Science Museum; Jazz Passengers in Egypt, a vaudevillian/jazz romp at La Mama Theatre in the early 90s; a live performance of original music MISSION & to screenings of Universal’s Creature of the Black Lagoon; and Trashed Out, a musical adaptation of Paul Reyes’ book, Exiles In Eden, on the 2008 foreclosure crisis in Florida. CORE BELIEFS Jazz Passengers Music Projects, Inc. welcomes earth- JPMP was incorporated in 2012 when our group explored the idea of lings on a journey to strengthen and bridge commu- developing the song book “Imitation Of A Kiss,” with vocalist Deb- nities through the transformative power of music, orah Harry, into a into a concert opera with symphony orchestra. word and image. Though the “Imitation” project did not materialize, JPMP became the official fiscal sponsor for Subway Moon, our unique, multime- The JPMP Governing Board believes that creat- dia experience in which professional jazz musicians, filmmakers ing agency and empowering intergenerational and high-school music students from around the world learn and constituencies are fundamental to liberating the perform together over a multi-week curricular adventure culmi- human spirit. We offer tools for artistic expres- nating in a live stage performance in a professional music venue. sion that aim to improve self-esteem and mass Subway Moon receives grants and donations through JPMP, sup- mental health. We believe that language extends porting the student performance projects since 2015. to multi-sensory dynamics, and that artistic en- deavors inherently embody both teaching and This is the first annual report of JPMP. We are extremely proud of learning as simultaneous experience. We recog- everything we have accomplished to date and terribly excited about nize the value of the perspective of all earthlings, the future. We hope you enjoy this summary of our history and of all stripes, and that enfranchising their voices window into our future. affirms their worth. A great show changes the world! PHOTO: MARK SAVAGE PHOTO: EVAN LAUBER Literacy programs should emphasize the development of auditory processes, STRATEGIC so that students can “distinguish PRIORITIES between their singing and speaking • Creating an open-source curricu- lum model, adaptable by others, voices, sing in high and low registers, that bridges communities through the transformative power of music, and make music loudly and softly by word, and image listening to teacher and peer examples. • Expanding and diversifying our stakeholders, including host schools When students are able to put all of and organizations, to collaborate on community engagement these elements together on a regular • Growing our revenue from grant basis, they have gained auditory awards and private donor support memory, both in literacy and music.” —KELSEY TARBERT “Learning Literacy Through Music,” 1. jpmpOneonta Reading Journal (2012) The JPMP team is a diverse group of artists,1. educatorsjpmp and professionals committed to realizing the power of art as a tool for repairing the world. TEAM MEMBERS GOVERNING BOARD ADVISORY BOARD STAFF Roy Nathanson President Josh Dorf Co-chair Dana Ware Executive Director Andrew Gurian Treasurer Jonathan Nelson Co-chair Roy Nathanson Artistic Director, Teacher Dana Ware Secretary Deborah Harry Member Andrew Gurian Co-Director, Teacher Zuri Gordon Member Peter Karp Member Bill Ware Composer, Teacher, Arranger Bill Ware Member Zuri Gordon Fundraising Coordinator, Tim Kiah Member Teaching Artist Gabrielle Napolitano Member Tim Kiah Composer, Teacher, Director of Engagement Gabrielle Napolitano Creative Director SUBWAY MOON BAND In order from Left to Right: Curtis Fowlkes, Roy Nathanson, Napoleon Maddox, Tim Kiah, Sam Bardfeld and Bill Ware (not pictured). PHOTO: EVAN LAUBER 1. jpmp BOARD MEMBER BIOS Governing Board Roy Nathanson has had a var- Andrew Gurian has been making Dana Ware is an attorney work- ied career as a saxophonist, composer, films since the age of 12. He began working ing on climate solutions and a cleaner bandleader, poet, actor and teacher. In in video in 1972 with Shirley Clarke’s TP Vid- energy future. Motivated by her desire the 80’s he and Curtis Fowlkes formed eospace Troupe, is a periodic guest lecturer to repair the world and sustained by the Jazz Passengers. The Passengers, at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized her love of the uniquely American art- along with Roy’s Sotto Voce project, Study and has published in the Millennium form of jazz, Dana leverages her expe- became a vehicle for a variety of his Film Journal. His work has been presented rience with non-profit organizations— music/theatre projects and text/music on WNET/Channel 13, at the Museum of along with her familial connection to experiments. Nathanson sees JPMP as a Modern Art, and at the Metropolitan Muse- the Jazz Passengers—to be JPMP’s first structure to foster the creative and edu- um, among other venues. Andrew’s projec- Executive Director. She looks forward cational/activist goals that have been at tions have been a continual part of Subway to helping the organization grow and the heart of the Jazz Passengers work. Moon since its inception in 2007. realize its dreams. Bill Ware is a quiet giant on the vibraphone, com- Tim Kiah is a double bass player, singer, compos- poser, recording artist and producer. A charter mem- er, teacher and performer who studied at the Boston ber of the Jazz Passengers and the NYC “acid-jazz” Boy Choir School and later at the Eastman School of band Groove Collective, he also toured with Steely Music while obtaining a degree in Nursing from the Dan (93-95) and has led and been a member of count- University of Rochester. He also received an MFA in less bands. Ware composed orchestral works and a Music from the City College of New York where he songbook with Deborah Harry, the Jazz Passengers formed a group called Nurse Kaya to emphasize the and orchestra. Film scores include Martin and Orl- healing nature of music. Tim began performing and off, Raising Victor Vargas, Undefeated, Excess Bag- teaching with Subway Moon in 2007 and has been a gage, and Hal Wilner’s Harold Arlen Tribute. core member of our team ever since. 1. jpmp BOARD MEMBER BIOS Advisory Board Josh Dorf first came into contact Deborah Harry is an American with the Jazz Passengers in 1987, when icon—a notable performer, songwriter, model he was sleeping at the Knitting Facto- and actress and lead singer of the new wave Zuri Gordon is a graduate of ry the summer after high school. Josh’s band Blondie. Debbie first worked with the Brandeis University living and work- brother, Michael, had started the Knit Jazz Passengers as a featured vocalist on their ing in New York City. As an alumna of and Josh ended up working even closer 1994 release, ‘Jazz Passengers In Love’. After the Institute of Collaborative Educa- with the Jazz Passengers when he was that she toured the world as a member of the tion, Zuri participated in the first iter- running the Knitting Factory office band for seven years, and teamed up with El- ation of Subway Moon that performed in Holland. Today, Josh owns a natural vis Costello on the Jazz Passengers cover of in Paris, France in 2008. Zuri now food brand and sits on the Board of City “Don’cha Go ‘Way Mad”. Debbie is a stalwart works with JPMP, Inc. as a Fundrais- Winery. champion for Subway Moon, frequently ap- ing Coordinator and Teaching Artist. pearing at fundraising events and sharing her special magic with Subway Moon students. Peter Karp is Principal of the In- Jonathan Nelson toured stitute for Collaborative Education where North America and Europe exten- Subway Moon was incubated and launched sively with the Jazz Passengers in the Gabrielle Napolitano has expe- as an educational experience. As an edu- late eighties and early nineties as their rience in design, marketing, events, re- cator and former professional musician, sound engineer. After moving to San tail, and community building. She start- Peter sees how the collaborative process Francisco Jonathan founded the first ed as an Art Director for Columbia House of making music provides a meaningful dot com and took several companies Music Club and now she has a diverse pathway for students and opens doors to public. Several years later he became a list of clients from small local business- understand other people’s lives and expe- partner in four music venues and three es to large companies to non-profits. She riences. He is eager to help school leaders music festivals in the Bay Area. Today owned a childrens’ retail shop and pro- and communities embrace Subway Moon Jonathan’s organizations produce over duced an award winning family concert to enrich student development. 2,000 performances annually. series. Gabrielle is the VP of Signature Events for NAWBO (National Associa- tion of Women Business Owners) NYC.