[Dixielandjazz] Pennsylvania Jazz Society

[Stephen Barbone]

Yesterday I was honored to receive the Jazzer of the Year Award from the
Pennsylvania Jazz Society. The inscription reads:

PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ SOCIETY
2002 JAZZER AWARD
STEVE BARBONE

For his contribution to the preservation, promotion, and presentation of
traditional and mainstream jazz music.

Yes I am proud of it and very grateful to all the members of the PA JAZZ
SOCIETY. But the main reason I post it is in the hope that Jazz
Societies all over the world present this kind on award annually to the
musos that present, preserve and promote traditional jazz. For those of
you familiar with Theodore Hertzberg's work on motivation, this kind of
award to working musicians will do more to keep jazz alive than most
other efforts.

My recognition came about primarily because The Barbone Street Jazz Band
presents OKOM in a variety of unlikely venues, to a variety of unlikely
audiences, mostly young people under 40 years old. 2002 has been an
extraordinary year for us. We were heard live by over 125,000 people
this year, within a 100 mile radius of Philadelphia, PA USA. It is fun
for us to fantasize on what might happen if other Trad Jazz bands around
the world were to do this every year.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

PS. To Leslie of Mississippi Rag. Among other things, the Award also
includes a 3 year subscription to the Mississippi Rag. Please tack it on
to my existing one.