The North East Florida Jazz Association (NEFJA) is still looking for a hero. That hero may be former President Bill Clinton. The non-profit jazz organization recently placed the Title Sponsorship on the auction block at eBay, the Internet's most popular online auction website when traditional fundraising efforts were not effective as a result of the economic downturn. Flagler County, where The Legacy Jazz Festival '08 will be held, was the fastest growing county in the country for two years running, but now has the unfortunate distinction of being the county with the highest unemployment rate in Florida. The group put the key sponsorship role up for bid hoping that a public figure or large company will step up to the plate to ensure that the festival, and the scholarships that would have been awarded with the proceeds, don't become another casualty of the economy. The inventive marketing effort has generated considerable attention.
“We're communicating with President Clinton," confirmed Barbara Nelson, a NEFJA volunteer. “His passion for jazz is common knowledge and he has demonstrated that he's willing to take action to keep jazz alive. He has not yet bid on the Title Sponsorship. That's all I can say at this point." The auction closes on March 29 at 2:47 PM Pacific Time. “Typically bidders wait until the very end before they submit their bids. That's what we're counting on."
NEFJA has also been in contact with other political candidates and cultural icons, including Clinton's wife Hillary as well Barack Obama, John McCain, and Oprah Winfrey. “Supporting a grassroots organization that wants only to make people happy and help make sure that the legacy of jazz stays alive by presenting scholarships to kids is a good thing," Nelson added. “Whoever wins the title sponsorship will be sending a powerful message that will resonate with Americans far beyond Florida's borders."
Clinton, a saxophone player, has actively supported and promoted jazz, America's native art form, at multiple venues across the country. At the end of 2007, he donated a saxophone he used to play to the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Previously he participated with celebrated trumpeter Wynton Marsalis in a panel discussion on “Jazz and Democracy" hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center, where Marsalis is artistic director.
“Wouldn't it be great if a former US President jams with some of our previous scholarship winners?" Nelson asked. “Several will be returning to play in this year's Jazz Fest, including Vincent Gardner who has performed with the Lincoln Center Orchestra since 2000. That would be something they'd never forget."
The winners of the auction will be announced after the winning bids have been confirmed. You can learn more about the auction by going to www.eBay.com and entering the item number 150231217018. Other Legacy Jazz Festival sponsorship opportunities are listed on: flaglerlegacy.com.
“We're communicating with President Clinton," confirmed Barbara Nelson, a NEFJA volunteer. “His passion for jazz is common knowledge and he has demonstrated that he's willing to take action to keep jazz alive. He has not yet bid on the Title Sponsorship. That's all I can say at this point." The auction closes on March 29 at 2:47 PM Pacific Time. “Typically bidders wait until the very end before they submit their bids. That's what we're counting on."
NEFJA has also been in contact with other political candidates and cultural icons, including Clinton's wife Hillary as well Barack Obama, John McCain, and Oprah Winfrey. “Supporting a grassroots organization that wants only to make people happy and help make sure that the legacy of jazz stays alive by presenting scholarships to kids is a good thing," Nelson added. “Whoever wins the title sponsorship will be sending a powerful message that will resonate with Americans far beyond Florida's borders."
Clinton, a saxophone player, has actively supported and promoted jazz, America's native art form, at multiple venues across the country. At the end of 2007, he donated a saxophone he used to play to the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Previously he participated with celebrated trumpeter Wynton Marsalis in a panel discussion on “Jazz and Democracy" hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center, where Marsalis is artistic director.
“Wouldn't it be great if a former US President jams with some of our previous scholarship winners?" Nelson asked. “Several will be returning to play in this year's Jazz Fest, including Vincent Gardner who has performed with the Lincoln Center Orchestra since 2000. That would be something they'd never forget."
The winners of the auction will be announced after the winning bids have been confirmed. You can learn more about the auction by going to www.eBay.com and entering the item number 150231217018. Other Legacy Jazz Festival sponsorship opportunities are listed on: flaglerlegacy.com.
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