New York City jazz musicians and Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians lead a leafleting and demonstration in Madison Square Park to raise awareness of the ongoing battle to establish union benefits for jazz musicians.New York City jazz musicians and Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians lead a leafleting and demonstration in Madison Square Park to raise awareness of the ongoing battle to establish union benefits for jazz musicians.
With the support of a live, six-piece jazz band, marchers advocated for fair treatment of all professional musicians in New York City and beyond. “Justice for Jazz Artists” aims to raise awareness of the challenges specific to many jazz musicians who play New York City’s most affluent clubs. These musicians demand a fair minimum pay scale, direct pension contributions, protections around recordings and a fair grievance process. The group advocates that due to the tax cut achieved in concert with the union, the major NYC jazz clubs like the Blue Note, Iridium, Village Vanguard, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, The Jazz Standard and Birdland can also afford to do right by the musicians who bring patrons through their doors.
