There were a total of 20 individuals and groups from 13 states and the District of Columbia who were named 2017 Jazz Heroes for their contributions to the performance, promotion and perpetuation of jazz in their local communities by the Jazz Journalists Association, according to an announcement by JJA president Howard Mandel.
In addition to Syncopated Times staff writer-columnist Lew Shaw, the other 2017 Jazz Heroes are:
Sam Yi, who has run jazz clubs in Atlanta for over 20 years.
Melvin Miles, Baltimore, a faculty member at Morgan State University.
Viola Plummer, founder-operator of a coffee house in Brooklyn, NY.
Toneka Reid, Chicago, cellist, composer, conductor, educator.
W. Kim Heron, Detroit journalist, radio host and historian.
Fran Morris Rosman, Los Angeles, executive director, Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation.
Jack Kleinsinger, producer-artistic director of Highlights in Jazz, New York City’s longest-running jazz concert series.
Andrea Canter, Minneapolis-St. Paul, senior editor/photographer, JazzPolice website.
Jason Patterson, president, New Orleans Jazz Celebration; producer-talent coordinator, Snug Harbor Jazz Club.
J. Michael Harrison, Philadelphia, jazz DJ for the past 24 years.
Marty Ashby, Pittsburgh, musician-educator who has presented 2500 concerts and educational events over the past 30 years.
Darrell Grant, Portland,
