JAZZ CO-ORDINATION

This section includes articles that throw light on  “jazz co-ordination”. Jazz co-ordination was devised by the Australia Council, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body, in the early 1980s to increase government support for jazz. Part-time jazz co-ordinators in all states were appointed in 1983. Most State arts ministries subsequently provided funds for jazz coordination programs. Eric Myers was a Jazz Co-ordinator from 1983 to the end of 2001. His position became full-time in 1986.

ADDRESS BY NATIONAL JAZZ CO-ORDINATOR

by Eric Myers

Address given at Jazz Australia, the Inaugural Conference of the International Association of Jazz Educators - Australasia, 2-5 July, 1992, in Perth, Western Australia.

Congratulations to the organisers of this event, particularly Pat Crichton, Garry Lee and Gaye McLeod. I know that an enormous amount of work has gone into Jazz Australia, and I must say that it's been very interesting, and very inspiring, to listen to the discussions that have taken place in this room. It's been a great education for someone like myself, who is not a jazz educator, nor a jazz musician, and whose activities are only peripherally concerned with jazz education…

FOREWORD TO THE 1998 AUSTRALIAN JAZZ DIRECTORY

by Eric Myers

January, 1998

This, the second edition of the Australian Jazz Directory, has the same aim as the first edition, which was published in May, 1994. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of jazz activity in Australia - in this case at a certain point towards the end of 1997, or the beginning of 1998. It is not merely a list of names and contact details. Wherever possible, a synopsis has been provided for each entry, giving the reader access to essential information about the person, group, or organisation included…

THE AUSTRALIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA: HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

by Eric Myers

Foreword to the Australian Jazz Orchestra’s booklet/program, February, 1988

There has been talk of an Australian Jazz Orchestra (AJO) - that is, combining the talents of key players from more than one major city - for many years. But realising such an orchestra has always been prevented by lack of funds… Jazz organisations and musicians have been used to doing things on a shoestring so that, in reality, very modest funding can generate enormously worthwhile results. So it is with the Australian Jazz Orchestra. A subsidy of $50,000 has enabled the establishment of the AJO, the setting up of a national Australian tour in two stages, and a tour of the United States…