The England Jazz Alliance, a diverse group within New England's jazz culture, was formed to establish a New England Jazz Hall of Fame and to cultivate a new generation of jazz appreciators.

The New England Jazz Hall of Fame was established on December 17, 2001 with the naming of the first 10 inductees as chosen by 172 knowledgeable voters and a portable exhibit was put together in April 2002 with a month-long presentation, concert series, and children's program in the Tremont Theater in Boston's Theater District.

Since that historic April series, NEJA has produced Hall of Fame programs at several venues throughout the region including Cape Code Community College in Hyannis, MA, the Fishtown Music Fest in Gloucester, Cloud Place in Boston, and Bryant College in Smithfield, RI.

The Exhibit

The exhibit consists of sixteen 4x3 foot panels, with the lead panel acting as an introduction to the Hall of Fame. Each of the others is dedicated to one of the fifteen Hall inductees and contains biographical material, outstanding photographs by some of America's most accomplished photographers and a short appreciation piece by an outstanding jazz writer.

The panels can be hung or displayed on easels, which are provided by NEJA. When facilities allow, the exhibit also may include additional paintings, music and memorabilia related to the New England jazz scene. NEJA's presentations work best when they are paired with local concerts, initiatives, or courses of study, but NEJA can put together complete packages.

Thanks to relationships with outstanding jazz artists, educators, photographers, writers, broadcasters, film makers, historians, and knowledgeable fans, NEJA can supplement its exhibit with a wide variety of programs to accommodate audiences of all ages and special interests. The following material describes some of the choices, any of which can be combined with one another as well as be tailor-made to fit other needs.

Presentation Options

Herb Pomeroy - Internationally acclaimed jazz educator and the only musician known to have played with all 10 NEJA Hall of Fame inductees, Pomeroy delivers a two-hour lecture, complete with recorded musical examples and personal recollections as to why these Hall of Fame artists should be remembered.

Dan Morgenstern - Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers and former editor of Down Beat and Metronome, Morgenstern gives a 90 minute presentation on New England jazz history reaching back to the early 1900s.

Mae Arnette - Honored as a Boston jazz treasure in 1973, along with HAll of Fame inductees Sabby Lewis and Jaki Byard and legendary drummer Roy Haynes, Arnette presents film, photos and recollections of the Boston jazz scene of the 1950s. (90 minutes)

David Baker - Director of Jazz Studies at Indiana University, director of the Smithsonian Institution's repertory jazz orchestra and president of the International Association for Jazz Education, Dr. Baker talks about his jazz education at the School of Jazz in Lenox, MA in the 1950s and the social culture of jazz. (Two hours)

Jazz for Kids - A 90-minute introduction to jazz with hand-clapping/singing workshop for children grades K-5 led by NEJA jazz teacher Lisa Yves and friends. (Ideal for two lunch-hour sessions)

To book the New England Jazz Hall of Fame exhibit and related programs, contact NEJA at info@nejazz.org.