Today: Justice For Jazz Artists Rally

by Patrick Jarenwattananon

Today in New York City, the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 is holding a rally at Judson Memorial Church at 2 p.m. ET. It's for a campaign called Justice For Jazz Artists, designed to ensure that musicians can earn pension payments from working clubs. (You can sign the petition online if you are interested but can't make the rally.) Some info:

The folks behind J4JA seem to have found a worthy cause, at least on the surface. In 2007, New York state eliminated certain sales taxes at live jazz shows, with the expectation that the money would go to musicians' pension payments. But most clubs have been unwilling to discuss the issue with the union, according to the union.

Nobody, however, has answered this question: why aren't the clubs paying out? I have yet to hear from any venue owners about this topic. Are the clubs really withholding money that most people don't know they have? Or are other forces at play? Were the clubs ever obligated, or even simply told by New York state, to redirect their tax break? I hope some people have some insights they're willing to share.

UPDATE: NPR's Felix Contreras wrote to tell me that he reported about this issue in Oct. 2006. He does note that many jazz musicians aren't union members -- and would prefer to receive that sales tax credit in the form of cash at the gig (if they receive anything extra at all). He also said that a few club owners were supportive of the pension program, including the Blue Note's Danny Bensusan.

8:52 AM ET | 09-29-2009 | permalink

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