JAM: DECEMBER 2007/JANUARY 2008 Issue: President's Corner

By Bev Mann
President, Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors

When I first joined the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors I didn't give a thought about how the JAM got to me or to you - I just enjoyed reading JAM .

When I became a board member I learned the name of the editor of JAM and at events such as the Corporate Woods Jazz Festival (we had a tent) I watched him pass out JAM to the audience.

Still I didn't think about how it was put together, printed , mailed or delivered out to the public..I just enjoyed reading JAM.

When I became Treasurer of the Board several years ago I was made aware of the costs of publishing...and I got to know the editor a little better. I continued to enjoy reading JAM.

One day the editor let it be known to the Board that he was burned out and needed to turn over his job to someone else. The Board understood because he had been working with JAM for many years but I do remember our first reaction was “NOW WHAT DO WE DO!” We knew very little about what he did let alone anyone else who assisted in bringing JAM to us.

A young gal who had been living in Bend , Oregon - moved to Kansas City to be near her friend who was a student at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance - took over JAM editing. She had the education, and experience and was capable. She left her job as editor within the year because some people forgot the position was a “love jazz and JAM” job and not a real job.

Recently the current editor's real job has changed direction and he will be spending a good amount of time traveling. We know he loves what he is doing but has concerns about his time constraints. Now is the time for all of us to think about how we can help. Let us find an assistant editor to do exactly that!

JAM Magazine is the mainstay of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors and the board considers it the highest priority. Obviously there are many editorial persons involved in getting the JAM out to all of us jazz lovers. They are very important people; you might note their names in the front of every JAM ; they all “almost give” their talents and time to get the magazine out to us six times a year. They are:

EDITOR: Roger Atkinson

PROOF READERS: Emily Atkinson and Gail Atkinson, (and a thanks to Karen Robinson Rivera , who recently “retired”)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Carolyn Brewer, Carol Comer , Cambria De Lee , Everette Devan, Ed Fenner , Wayne Goins , Dean Hampton , Laura Harmon, Stanton Kessler, Rod McBride , Charlton Price, Kevin Rabas , Tristan Smith , Doug Tatum , Peggy Graham , Sharon Valleau, and Andrew Zender .

ADVERTISING: Ed Fenner

TYPOGRAPHY & GRAPHIC DESIGN: Rod McBride and Cambria De Lee

COVER LAYOUT & DESIGN: Keith Kavanaugh , Bau Wau Design

Have I missed someone — undoubtedly. There really are more involved than we thought — Right?

In addition to getting the written word on the paper JAM must get mailed to the membership and delivered to the various locations throughout the greater Kansas City area. We print about 10,000 copies; mail about 500 copies and distribute the rest! The many people who volunteer their time to deliver the JAM need the help of a“distribution director”.

The needs are important - donations won't help here. We need live people, jazz lovers who have the time to spare and talent to share. We need to continue to keep JAM alive and well and out there! Call me at 913-548-2229 if you have any interest or know of anyone we might contact.

See you at the Annual Meeting on December 13, 2007 at Californo's at 7:00 PM .

- Bev Mann