The Jazz Journalists Association has announced its 2016 roster of “Jazz Heroes.†JJA president Howard Mandel describes them as, “activists of positive influence—in collaborations with grassroots groups and supporters in 23 U.S. communities.â€
The numbers in the photograph correspond to those in the roster below it.
1. Albuquerque NM: Tom Guralnick
2. Atlanta: Joe Gransden
3. Baltimore MD: Todd Marcus
4. Bay Area (SF-CA): Elena Serrano
5. Boston: Yedidyah Syd Smart (l) & Leonard L. Brown (r)
6. Capital Region (NY): Leslie Callen Hyland
7. Detroit: Marion T. Hayden
8. Chicago: Bradley Parker-Sparrow & Joanie Pallatto
9. Fayetteville AK: Robert Ginsburg
10. Los Angeles: Edythe L. Bronston
11. Fort Bragg CA: Douglas Moody
12. Miami: Maggie Pelleyá
13. New Orleans: Germaine P. Bazzle
14. New York City: Rio Sakairi
15. Philadelphia: Don Gardner
16. Pittsburgh: Geri Allen
17. Phoenix: Herb & Lorene Ely
18. Portland OR: Bobby Torres
19. Seattle: Laurie de Koch
20. St. Louis: Dennis Owsley
21. Syracuse NY: Frank Malfitano
22. Tallahassee FL: Clarence L. Seay
23. Washington DC: Brian Hamilton (l) & Dick Smith (r)
For detailed descriptions of the Jazz Heroes’ contributions to their communities, go the JJA website.
Congratulations to the 2016 Jazz Heroes.
Results of the JJA’s 2016 musician awards will be on the website in May.