NEA Releases Jazz Musician Study

NEA Releases Jazz Musician Study

Though jazz musicians might seem an unlikely topic for statistical study, the National Endowment for the Arts has released just that—a three-volume report titled “Changing the Beat: A Study of the Worklife of Jazz Musicians” is available for free download. The first volume, released last January, includes an executive summary providing report highlights. The study… Read more »

Written By

Molly Sheridan

Though jazz musicians might seem an unlikely topic for statistical study, the National Endowment for the Arts has released just that—a three-volume report titled “Changing the Beat: A Study of the Worklife of Jazz Musicians” is available for free download. The first volume, released last January, includes an executive summary providing report highlights.

The study is based on the premise that “when viewed as an occupation, making a living as a jazz musician can be very difficult…jazz music does not fare as well as other music forms, making it challenging to maintain and continue this treasure.”

The report contains data collected from about 2,700 union and non-union jazz musicians located in New York, Detroit, San Francisco, and New Orleans. It is intended to “address a longstanding question: How best to support the continuing growth and development of jazz and the musicians who create it?”

Dr. Billy Taylor chaired the study’s advisory board.

The full report addresses jazz musician demographics; employment and income; retirement plans and health-care coverage; recognition, grants, and fellowships; copyrights and airplay; migration and touring; bands; styles and instruments; future goals and qualities needed for a career in jazz; and respondent suggestions.

Dana Gioia, chairman of the NEA, comments, “We hope this body of information will help those who appreciate and support jazz music better understand the needs of the artists who produce this uniquely American art form, which is central to America’s cultural legacy.”