[Dixielandjazz] Franz Jackson: Milestone - We Need You!

[Tony Davis]

To all list members, whatever your personal taste in jazz might be, 
please consider pledging your support for this project.  This man was a 
musical giant whose career spanned nearly 80 years, starting in 1929.  
If you watch Michelle's video I'm sure you'll be as moved as I was by 
her love for her father and her determination to provide a fitting 
tribute and memorial to him.  The pledges are coming in, but there's a 
long way to go, and only 28 days left to reach the target.

Tony Davis

On 11/06/12 16:48, mjewell at franzjackson.com wrote:
> Hi, if you wouldn't mind posting this note again to the forum, I'd appreciate it.  Just trying to remind people of the importance and timeliness of getting involved in this project.  Thank you!
>
>
> Dear Jazz Friends,
>
> Hello again, it's Michelle Jewell, Franz Jackson's daughter.  I just wanted to send a reminder about the project I'm working on and ask for your support.
>
> This is an effort that depends on the support of fans of my father's music, and jazz in general, to succeed.  It's also dependent on serious word of mouth, so even if you're not interested in or able to support the project, please pass on the information to those in your circle who might be.
>
> I'm currently working on producing a 2-disc CD set of my father's 95th birthday concert - his last live concert (recorded 6 months before his death) which will be the last installment of his musical legacy. It was a fabulous night filled with music, love and memories.  We had some of the best musicians from the region make their way to Dowagiac, Michigan to honor and play with my dad on his birthday.  The music they made that night was nothing less than magical.  And, we were fortunate enough to record the entire 3 hours (and yes, Dad played the first note, the last note and every one in between!) and now I am working on producing the CD set from those recordings.
>
> To raise the capital I need to accomplish this project, I'm working with the crowdfunding site, Kickstarter.com, and have started an online fundraising campaign.   That's where you, Franz's friends and fans, come in.  To produce the quality product I envision, I must raise $9,000 by  July 10th.  This is an all or nothing venture:  If I reach my goal by the 10th, the CD gets produced, if I fall short, I get none of the money pledged . 
>
> I'm 16 days into the the campaign and the project is almost 16% funded. That's not bad, but there's a long way to go before the music from Franz's 95th concert is available to the public.
>
> I can't stress enough how important it is for the pledges to be made now . I'm sure many of you would probably buy the CD once it's been released and that's great, but the reality is, without pledges to the campaign now, there won't be a CD at all. If you have any desire to own it, NOW is the time to buy it! A $25 pledge (about one Starbucks run per week) gets you a copy of the CD prior to the release date PLUS a digital download of the entire album. That's a $45 value; a savings of $20 and you'll be helping to make sure the project is actually completed.  Higher pledge amounts reward you with tickets to the CD release party, copies of Franz's previous CDs, unique artwork, commercial voiceover work, copies of original arrangements written by Franz and much more!
>
> If you've already pledged - Thank You from the bottom of my heart ! If you're on the fence, please join us...I promise you won't be disappointed! If you're hesitating because you don't have the money right now, please know that even if you pledge now,  you won't be charged until the project is successful on July 10th. If we don't reach our goal, no one is charged for their pledge. You really have nothing to lose!
>
> Here's the link:http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1749558063/franz-jackson-milestone-a-historic-cd-project    or you can go towww.kickstarter.com  and search "Franz Jackson".
>
> I hope I'll have you as a partner on this exciting journey!  Again, please share this with your friends and other fans of jazz.  This is a personal quest for me, but it's also about preserving the last bit of jazz history from one of the musicians who was there at the beginning.
>
> Thanks for your time and I hope you'll be my partner in this very special project!
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Michelle Jewell
>