CBJC Festival Magazine 2016

Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium
The Central Brooklyn Jazz consortium is
committed to the development of audiences
and the nurturing of institutions
and individuals throughout Brooklyn
that specifically deal with Jazz as well as
other African American cultural expressions
(dance theater, visual arts, comedy
and poetry.) CBJC a dynamic, voluntary
consortium was organized in 1999
on behalf of community development
to promote live jazz and other cultural
activities. Historically, CBJC is the realization
of years of discussion about the
importance of establishing a consortium
of organizations whose mission is to
work collectively to preserve Black culture.
Representatives of Jazz966 Torrie
McCartney, Sistas’ Place Viola Plummer,
SoFocus Leroy Applin and Jazzpazzaz
Alma Carroll were the founding council.
This diverse group of lifelong Central
Brooklyn activists, musicians, community
leaders, major non-profits, faithbased
institutions, restaurants, café owners
and cultural arts institutions were
active members of CBJC. Educator and
cultural activist Jitu Weusi was elected as
the first chairperson in December 1999
along with Alma Carroll treasurer, Torrie
McCartney facilitator, Colette Penn
recording secretary and Loretta Washington
financial secretary.
Our Mission
Over the past 17 years the organization
has developed core programs that demonstrate
the components of its mission.
The annual gala celebrates the month
long Jazz festival which features a live
performance of a well established artist
in the Jazz tradition. Jazz: The Woman’s
ViewPoint is a unique program which
provides a panel discussion setting for
musician’s wives and husbands, female
musicians and artists to share their
views, talents and experiences with attendees.
The Youth Jazz Jamboree and
Wellness Day of music, fun and games
while raising awareness of health issues.
Our mission is to recognize the contributions
of artists and the role they play
in advancing the culture while promoting
the dignity of people; to develop
venues that are affordable, accessible and
attractive to children, teenagers, men,
women and elders to provide a forum for
cultural exchanges; to build coalitions by
working collectively and sharing information
with the aim of reestablishing the
spiritual and emotional connections between
African American artists and their
communities…..
Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium/CBJC founded in 1999, is an amalgam of patrons, entertainment venues, faith based institutions,
community organizations and musicians. Over the past sixteen (16) years CBJC has presented an annual spring festival,
established a Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame & Museum and produced yearly programs that feature local jazz talent. CBJC is a nonprofit
corporation committed to preserving, promoting and supporting live music within the underserved communities of Brooklyn
broadcasting to the world.
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