Musicians4 Obama!
Sign Now
The following is an edited version of an open letter to Senator Barack and Michelle Obama, endorsed by the Musicians Union local802afm.org
Dear Senator and Mrs. Obama,
We jazz musicians of New York City are hopeful and excited about your upcoming presidency. You represent to us many of the principles for which we have devoted our lives.
Unfortunately, we must tell you that the unique legacy of jazz is becoming an endangered species.
Our opportunities have been drastically diminished in recent years. We have been replaced by D.J.вs and our recording income has been diminished by digital pirating. We are scarcely found in schools and universities, other than in temporary capacities.
The situation is dreadful. To see our esteemed elders of jazz suffering economically is a moral and cultural outrage. They created this music -- unique and revered in all the world -- and risked everything in the life-threatening racial climate that they came up in. It is a travesty that they are unable to afford simple amenities, not to mention adequate housing and healthcare.
Meanwhile, we who are honored to follow in their footsteps cannot afford health benefits and have fewer and fewer opportunities to play and educate.
Many of us have families to support, while others cannot even contemplate having a family because of the lack of opportunities.
We have two proposals:
1. Create tax incentives for those who use live musicians at their event.
2. Establish permanent part-time teaching positions in schools and universities for musicians, with health and pension benefits. The positions would be part-time so that musicians wouldnвt have to choose between teaching and performing.
We are appealing to your astute sense of justice, wisdom and love of jazz!
Eve Zanni and other New York City jazz musicians, and musicians from all over the greater U.S.
Dear Senator and Mrs. Obama,
We jazz musicians of New York City are hopeful and excited about your upcoming presidency. You represent to us many of the principles for which we have devoted our lives.
Unfortunately, we must tell you that the unique legacy of jazz is becoming an endangered species.
Our opportunities have been drastically diminished in recent years. We have been replaced by D.J.вs and our recording income has been diminished by digital pirating. We are scarcely found in schools and universities, other than in temporary capacities.
The situation is dreadful. To see our esteemed elders of jazz suffering economically is a moral and cultural outrage. They created this music -- unique and revered in all the world -- and risked everything in the life-threatening racial climate that they came up in. It is a travesty that they are unable to afford simple amenities, not to mention adequate housing and healthcare.
Meanwhile, we who are honored to follow in their footsteps cannot afford health benefits and have fewer and fewer opportunities to play and educate.
Many of us have families to support, while others cannot even contemplate having a family because of the lack of opportunities.
We have two proposals:
1. Create tax incentives for those who use live musicians at their event.
2. Establish permanent part-time teaching positions in schools and universities for musicians, with health and pension benefits. The positions would be part-time so that musicians wouldnвt have to choose between teaching and performing.
We are appealing to your astute sense of justice, wisdom and love of jazz!
Eve Zanni and other New York City jazz musicians, and musicians from all over the greater U.S.
Sign The Petition
Continue with Google
OR
If you already have an account please sign in, otherwise register an account for free then sign the petition filling the fields below.
Email and password will be your account data, you will be able to sign other petitions after logging in.
Shoutbox
Goal
0 signatures
Goal: 50
Tags
No tags
Embed Codes
direct link
link for html
link for forum without title
link for forum with title
