NAJP '02: Just now, I'm a Katrina Media Fellow with the Open Society Institute, researching and documenting the present challenge to New Orleans musical culture. I'm also editor-at-large of Jazziz magazine (formerly editor-in-chief); as a freelancer, I write for a wide range of publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Village Voice.

In Philly, I was touched by our shared sense of both the need for and the promise of a future NAJP. A new board should: establish us, first and foremost, as a true service organization; articulate and promote the mission so joyously read at our dinner; secure appropriate funding and, perhaps, a host institution; build on our existing assets (publications, alliances, everything associated with the NAJP name); create opportunities for the sort of mentoring, training, and genre-crossing exchanges that were essential to our NAJP experiences. As a service organization, NAJP can fill a genuine need during a moment of swift change throughout the communities straddled by our profession. It might even be fun. I'd like to help.

Back to the voting page