[Dixielandjazz] The OKOM500

[Tom Wood]

Dear DJML500 (or nearly),

 

Sorry to learn of Jim Beebe's passing away, likewise I thought we had not heard much from him recently.  We had been in communication a few times in the past both on and off line.  



We had our own small F2F last weekend at the Newcastle (NSW) Jazz Festival, Australia with Adrian Ford (Piano/Trombone), Jack Wiard (Reeds) and self piano.  I promised Adrian I would mention it, small though it was. 



If an outbreak of statistics could be made available I would be most interested to have an indication on my "hunch" estimate(s) on the following:

75% List members over 60 years of age

75% USA based members and about

65% Lurkers (say less than one communication every 4 months ?)

 

The majority of members seem to be in the "aging population" bracket (which is a big group) and some are almost knocking at the pearly gates now whilst others, may soon be heading 'downunder' to another kind of "hot musicians club".  I am sure it is almost a weekly occurrence if we include "lurkers".  Even with this 10% annual drop off, membership is still increasing we are told.  Jim Beebe and other obits raise the issue of preservation of OKOM and continuance of the list within the broad parameters of Dixieland Jazz, without pigeon holing everyone into narrow musical boxes.  



The good news is that we are probably a most formidable, wise and mature group :) with an average of say around half a billion dollars net worth assets?  Now if everyone pledged 0.02% i.e. $1000 (say half now and half from your estate) to an OKOM fund it could generate half a million.  We could have three (say) divisions with a controlling jazz moderator plus a webmaster and a streamlined voluntary (regularly rotating) non-profit executive committee of say five total (large committees are self defeating and inefficient).  Uses for the fund could (and would) be many but my suggestion would be:

50% income to the preservation and continuance of OKOM  

25% to a self perpetuating annual award fund for best 21 to 25 age OKOM musicians

25% to help fund an annual musician's convention with a rotated location each year.  

(Like we have had for musicians in Australia for almost 60 years)

 

Do I see everyone ducking for cover or does any of this make financial sense?  Need money?  Why not sell your body to science and/or give an armful of blood ? :)  Those employed on mafia controlled cruise ship gigs could be lucky with a high chance of being buried at sea and thus cheating medical science! :)  We are a service industry and should look to its continuance.  I take this opportunity to commend the good work of Bob Ringwald.

 

Tom ("hot" club candidate) Wood

www.sydneyzenith.com