Meet Edwin Williams of Jazz Matters, Inc

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edwin Williams. Him and his team share his story with us below.

“Jazz allows me to be who I am.”
-Edwin Williams

Please kick things off for us with some background on the story. Jazz Matters, Inc. was founded by Edwin Williams, an accomplished bassist, who is no stranger to the Atlanta music scene. He was featured bassist for over twenty years with the John Robertson Trio at the world-renowned, Dante’s Down the Hatch jazz club in Atlanta, Georgia and has performed nationally and internationally with major jazz and R&B artists and with The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s in its annual “Soulful Christmas” production.

For the past several years, he has produced jazz events, such as, the annual summer concert series, Experiencing Jazz Series: Jazz Matters at the Wren’s Nest; A Soulful Sunday and Sunday Live! A Jazz Experience; Soulful Sunday Jazz for various art centers in the Atlanta metro area featuring over 70 performing artists and students from Atlanta, Marietta and Perry, GA performing arts programs.

Edwin’s desire to keep jazz alive led him to establish Jazz Matters, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Jazz Matters, Inc., mission is to Preserve a Musical Culture, Tradition, Art Form.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’d like to say the road has been interesting more so than a struggle when educating/ informing the public on what Jazz really is. I’ve encountered the following comments on Jazz: not sure if I like Jazz; I love Jazz; I hate Jazz. Especially to younger audiences, that look at Jazz at something laid back, boring and not relevant, not realizing that the basis to much of rap music they’re creating was based on sampling Jazz beats, artists, etc.

However, a greater concern is the elimination of music and arts programming from public schools so that young people are not introduced or exposed to any type of arts programming. The elimination of arts programming has seriously hindered the appreciation or interest in Jazz as an art form, especially in under-served communities. There is a disconnect, especially in African American students, that they have no place in art form that was created by African Americans.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jazz Matters, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as an organization and what sets you apart from others.
Who We Are

Jazz Matters, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that exists to preserve a musical culture, tradition and art form by … Keeping Jazz Alive by

–encouraging emerging Jazz artists;
–building new Jazz audiences,
–providing a forum of Jazz artists to perform and perfect their craft.
–developing outreach music programs that engage, entertain and educate our audiences, especially seniors, youth and veterans, in the Art of Jazz

WE SPECIALIZE IN:
Providing Jazz events with the purpose of introducing our audiences to the different styles of Jazz and the genres that have been influenced by it.

WE ARE MOST PROUD OF:
We’re most proud of Jazz Matters ability to encourage, mentor and provide emerging Jazz artists with a forum to perform and perfect their craft; providing performance opportunities form emerging artists along with more seasoned and established entertainers; and our partnership with Atlanta area performing arts schools.

WHAT SETS US APART:
We just love what we do.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We’re gearing up for our December 3rd #givingtuesday (an international day of charitable giving) fundraiser. So if any one is interested in helping us in our mission to keep Jazz alive, just visit our website on ways to contribute. And we are planning our signature event, The 5th Annual Jazz Matters at The Wren’s Nest summer concert series, held the 3rd Friday of June, July & August. Our series presents the different styles of Jazz and genres influenced by it. Some of our concerts have been Experiencing Jazz: Jazz, Blue & BBQ style; Jazz Gumbo Style (New Orleans, Afro Cuban, International); Jazz Cool, Smooth & Soulful; Jazz Harlem Renaissance Style, etc. We excited about our 2020 series were our audience will experience Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Blues & BBQ style; Celebrating Women in Jazz; and Exploring African Jazz, along with a surprise bonus concert TBA.

We are looking forward to Jazz Matters On The Move, our community outreach initiative which will be:

— taking Jazz into non-traditional areas, focusing on schools, seniors and veterans
— providing workshops, presentations and masterclasses in under-served communities with established Jazz artists
— developing limited music programming in schools with no arts programming

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yesjazzmatters.org
• Phone: 404-216-6629 (cell) / 404-474-1211 (offic0e
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: JazzMattersATL
• Facebook: JazzMattersAtl
• Twitter: JazzMattersAtl

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