April/May 2005 CJA Network Editorial
Make It Happen Where
You Are!
One of the major
priorities I have for the CJA Network is for the artists
to fulfill their visions about being a Christian Jazz
Artist and all that this can entail. The scope of this
vision must include creating an audience for CJA Network
Artists. The CCM Music Industry and Major Christian
labels don't care about marketing jazz and neither do
the major publishers of worship music. For the most part
they are content to push a pabulum of alternative rock
products. Furthermore, there are not very many booking
agents or people promoting Christian Jazz Artists
because there is a misconception that there isn't any
money in it!
However, I have
discovered since starting this network nearly two years
ago that there are many, many Christians who love jazz
and are either playing or listening to it in church
services, vespers, coffee houses, concerts, and other
venues. Indeed, I feel there is enough interest for a
revival of jazz music in churches across America, Europe
(where it has already started!) and around the world! Of
course the internet has opened up many new possibilities
for independent artists to promote and sell their music.
But it will take the
artists themselves to make it happen where they are!
No use waiting on promoters or the record industry to
wake up and do something different. Each artist will
have to make every effort to promote themselves and
realize that when they promote and support the CJA
Network they are not only promoting themselves but
helping to both support and further a greater cause!
By CJA Network artists
and fans joining together to celebrate their gifts,
talents, and love for jazz they can truly make a
tremendous impact for using jazz in the church as
another vital genre of music! This will take connecting
and joining together through the sharing of ideas,
resources, and talents. And it will take time,
determination, and patience to build this movement. But
it is happening…remember drops in the bucket add up!
So I encourage you to
organize a Jazz concert or Jazz Vespers service at your
church or find a church that will let you do so. Or find
a coffee house where you can play jazz and take your own
CD’s to sell. Get the local newspapers to maybe do a
write up in the religious section of their newspapers.
Or if you play at a secular gig, share info with other
musicians about the CJA Network, Smooth Pizzazz Radio,
and the fact that there is an organization out there
that views Jazz music in a more spiritual light! If you
are a CJA Network Artist I encourage you to subscribe to
the Christian Jazz e-mail discussion group to stay
connected to other artists, fans, potential gigs, and
many other benefits!
Here is the link:
christianjazzgroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
The bottom line is
this… stay connected to the CJA Network and make
it happen where you are!
David Arivett April 11, 2005
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