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The All About Jazz Way

Our Culture, Values and Professional Standards

The All About Jazz Way is not a list of rules. It is a reflection of the values, behaviors and standards that have guided our organization since 1995.

Introduction

For more than thirty years, All About Jazz has been built on relationships.

Relationships with musicians. Relationships with writers. Relationships with publicists, presenters, venues, record labels, festivals, arts organizations and readers around the world.

Every interaction matters. Every email, phone call, interview request, review assignment, press pass inquiry and community conversation contributes to how people perceive All About Jazz.

When representing All About Jazz and Jazz Near You or any affiliated project, we are ambassadors for the organization and the broader music community we serve.

Our goal is simple:

Be professional. Be courteous. Be helpful.

Our Culture

• All About Jazz exists to serve the music community.
• We are not competitors with the artists, venues, festivals, presenters, publicists or organizations we work alongside. We are partners in a shared effort to support and strengthen the music ecosystem.
• We approach every interaction with respect, curiosity and generosity.
• We believe that long-term relationships are more valuable than short-term gains and that trust is earned through consistent actions over time.

How We Conduct Ourselves

Be Professional

• Respond promptly.
• Follow through on commitments.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully.
• Honor deadlines whenever possible.
• If circumstances change, communicate early and honestly.
• Professionalism is not about formality. It is about reliability.

Be Courteous

• Treat everyone with respect regardless of their position, experience or influence.
• The emerging artist deserves the same courtesy as the internationally recognized musician.
• The small local venue deserves the same consideration as the major festival.
• Listen carefully. Assume good intentions. Extend grace whenever possible.

Be Friendly and Approachable

People should enjoy interacting with All About Jazz.

• Be welcoming.
• Be accessible.

We are in the relationship business as much as we are in the publishing business.

Be Authentic

• Represent All About Jazz honestly.
• Never exaggerate our reach, influence or capabilities.
• Never make promises you cannot keep.

People trust organizations that communicate with sincerity and transparency.

Be Engaged

Take an active interest in the people and organizations you work with.

• Read the material they send.
• Learn about their work.
• Attend the events you commit to covering.
• Ask thoughtful questions.
• Demonstrate genuine interest.

The strongest relationships are built through engagement, not transactions.

Be a Team Player

• Support one another.
• Share information.
• Help colleagues succeed.
• Respect the contributions of editors, writers, photographers, programmers, volunteers and staff.
• When challenges arise, solve them collaboratively.
• The success of one person contributes to the success of the entire organization.

Working with Publicists

Publicists are among our most important partners.

• Treat them with professionalism and respect.
• Communicate clearly about coverage opportunities, deadlines and expectations.
• Never imply coverage is guaranteed.
• Never request favors that create conflicts of interest.
• When declining an opportunity, do so courteously and professionally.

A positive relationship today may lead to meaningful opportunities tomorrow.

Working with Musicians

Musicians are the reason we exist.

• Treat every artist with dignity and respect.
• Approach interviews and coverage with preparation and professionalism.
• Honor agreed-upon schedules whenever possible.
• Remember that every musician has invested significant time, effort and personal sacrifice in their work.

Whether an artist is a household name or releasing a debut recording, they deserve our respect.

Working with Venues, Festivals and Presenters

• When requesting credentials or access, be professional and transparent.
• Represent All About Jazz accurately.
• Respect venue policies and staff.
• Express gratitude for access and accommodations.

Our goal is to develop lasting relationships that benefit both the organization and the communities we serve.

Working Within the Organization

• Editors should support writers.
• Writers should support editors.
• Everyone should support one another.
• Disagreements are natural and healthy. Handle them respectfully.
• Critique ideas, not people.
• Assume positive intent.
• Communicate directly, honestly and constructively.

We are united by a shared mission, not individual agendas.

Social Media and Public Communication

• Anything said publicly may be associated with All About Jazz.
• Exercise good judgment.
• Be respectful.
• Avoid unnecessary arguments and personal attacks.
• Represent the organization in a manner consistent with our values.
• When discussing sensitive issues, lead with facts, fairness and professionalism.

Leave People Better Than You Found Them

Every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen the All About Jazz community.

Whether you are writing to a publicist, speaking with a musician, working with a venue, guiding a writer, responding to a reader or representing Jazz Near You locally, the person on the other side should come away feeling respected, appreciated and understood.

This does not mean saying yes to every request. It means communicating with care, even when the answer is no.

Be generous with your attention. Be clear with your words. Be gracious with your time. Look for ways to encourage, inform and support the people who make this music community possible.

If someone leaves an exchange with All About Jazz feeling better informed, better supported or more connected to the community, we have represented the organization well.

The Standard

Before sending an email, making a phone call, posting online or representing All About Jazz publicly, ask yourself:

• Is it professional?
• Is it courteous?
• Is it helpful?
• Does it strengthen relationships?

If the answer is yes, you are likely representing All About Jazz well.

Final Thought

All About Jazz has earned its reputation through decades of trust, service and community engagement.

Every member of our team contributes to that reputation.

We do not seek attention. We seek to earn trust.

We strive to be a trusted resource, a valued partner and a positive force within the jazz community.

That is the All About Jazz way.