Mission: Jazz Generation (a.k.a. KEYED UP!) is a jazz education and performance initiative that creates playing opportunities for children and adults in separate, yet complementary, programs.
•For jazz professionals, KEYED UP! Creates playing opportunities in neighborhood venues.
•For younger jazz musicians, the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra gives the invaluable experience of a weekly gig on one of New York's most famous stages.
•Finally, for New York schoolchildren, the Jazz Discovery Program introduces the music to grade schoolers, often for the first time. We have separate programs for the different age groups.
Results: In only two short years, KEYED UP! (a.k.a. Jazz Generation) has helped more than 1000 musicians find work; brought new business to more than 50 small music venues, provided education thru workshops to thousands of students, and created 10's of thousands of new jazz audience members. We've given more than 500K directly in musician's pockets and are proud to say that close to 80% of your donations go directly to the musicians.
Target demographics: music education for youth and creating performance opportunities for all generations
Direct beneficiaries per year: more than 1000 musicians, more than 40 small music venues, more than 1500 students, and 10's of thousands of new jazz audience members
Geographic areas served: The New York tri-state area (but open to sponsorship in any state!)
Programs: Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra; The Jazz Discovery Program; KEYED UP!
Donor & Volunteer Advisory
This organization's nonprofit status may have been revoked or it may have merged with another
organization or ceased operations.
I began working with Keyed Up! a year ago (October 2021) to support weekly live jazz performances at Lowlands, a neighborhood bar in Gowanus, Brooklyn. The staff at Keyed Up! was very responsive and easy to work with, and their support has helped nurture a growing cultural space for jazz and improvised music in our neighborhood. Beyond the financial support that they offer for these grassroots efforts to present live jazz in neighborhood venues, they also help spread the word about performances through their social media presence. I've also benefited as an audience member attending numerous jazz performances supported in part by Keyed Up! at venues such as Bar Bayeux and El Rey del Pescado in Brooklyn. Given the continual precarity of financial support for art forms like jazz, the existence of an organization like Keyed Up! is more important than ever today to ensure that normal people have access to the rich cultural heritage of jazz and that musicians are able to connect with audiences by having an outlet to perform and hone their craft.
Keyed Up plays an indispensable role in keeping Jazz music alive and thriving. Perseverance of the art form is not only an integral part woven into the cultural fabric of New York, but plays a greater role in American identity as well. As a Jazz musician, I have worked with Keyed up in multiple settings. Recently, Keyed Up played a vital role in supporting the Newtown Jazz Festival. With their help, we were able to uplift an artistic community and neighborhood and create an important milestone for a venue. Keyed Up has touched the lives of countless musicians, and continues to do so.
