When it was formed in 1984, the Madison Jazz Society had as its mission, “…encourage the performance of and education about jazz.” In 2021, it was announced that MJS would cease the performance portion of its activities and transition to concentrating on its education mission through its School Grant and School Residency programs. The new MJS format will be led by five members of the present Board of Directors and others interested in its purpose.
Before the transition is completed in June 2023, MJS offers a season of six concerts in 2022 and 2023. So far, Cornet Chop Suey appeared on September 18. President Linda Marty Schmitz stated, “These events will jazz friends who have appeared on the MJS stage previously and who we are pleased to welcome back to end our run of presenting jazz in Madison in grand style.”
The Madison Jazz Society closes the 2022 portion of its final six concert series by presenting the St. Louis Stompers on Sunday, October 30, with the final four concerts scheduled in 2023.
Of the Stompers, Linda Marty Schmitz said, “Since forming in 1981, the St. Louis Stompers have played a mixture of Chicago and New Orleans style traditional jazz and Dixieland, reminiscent of Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver. With years of experience between them, the band’s talented musicians have performed with groups such as the Sammy Kay
Trumpeter James O’Donnell: The Motor City Jazz Maestro
Brian Sheridan
