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AAJ turns 29 plus Jazz Forward Award program and remembering John Kelman

By Michael Ricci
August 15, 2024
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AAJ turns 29 plus Jazz Forward Award program and remembering John Kelman: AAJ turns 29 plus Jazz Forward Award program and remembering John Kelman

Hello, Year 29. We made it! Pretty impressive if I do say so myself. All About Jazz's journey has been an incredible ride shaped by a long list of impressive individuals and we pay tribute to one of our brightest who unexpectedly passed last week (see below). From navigating the rapid shifts in technology to crafting a vision filled with creativity and passion, we've built a platform that we are truly proud of. As All About Jazz's birthday closely follows my own (by four days to be exact), it's a special time for reflection and forward thinking. With Year 30 on the horizon, we're excited about the future which includes an app and an AI assistant. Just today, we launched the Jazz Forward Awards program (see below). We're definitely taking a moment to savor our achievements, so thank you for being part of this incredible journey and for your continued support. Here's to another year of jazz, innovation and community. Cheers!

The Jazz Forward Award

All About Jazz is recognizing the movers and groovers in our industry with our freshly minted Jazz Forward award program. It's our way to recognize and celebrate organizations, businesses, projects and individuals who advance jazz awareness, discovery and culture in new or impactful ways. If you or your organization is a good fit, complete our nomination form today. Learn more about the Jazz Forward program and winner prizes, here.

Remembering Dave Binder a.k.a. John Kelman

It is with great sadness that All About Jazz must announce the death of Dave Binder, better known to millions of readers as John Kelman. Dave died of a heart attack on August 10th, after a long bout of illness. For twenty years Dave was the most internationally renowned of all AAJ's contributors, penning over 2,700 articles which racked up tens of millions of page views. As senior editor for many years, Dave was a guide and mentor to numerous contributors, many of whom became his friends. His unparalleled knowledge of this music, his boundless enthusiasm and his gracious, generous manner with all comers made him a pillar of our community. The esteem in which he was held by musicians around the world speaks volumes for his importance as a tastemaker. AAJ has lost a truly fine ambassador. The music has lost one of its greatest advocates. Continue

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