Musicians4 Obama!

To:  musicians

The following is an edited version of an open letter to Senator Barack and Michelle Obama, endorsed by the Musicians Union local802afm.org

Dear Senator and Mrs. Obama,

We jazz musicians of New York City are hopeful and excited about your upcoming presidency. You represent to us many of the principles for which we have devoted our lives.

Unfortunately, we must tell you that the unique legacy of jazz is becoming an endangered species.

Our opportunities have been drastically diminished in recent years. We have been replaced by D.J.’s and our recording income has been diminished by digital pirating. We are scarcely found in schools and universities, other than in temporary capacities.

The situation is dreadful. To see our esteemed elders of jazz suffering economically is a moral and cultural outrage. They created this music -- unique and revered in all the world -- and risked everything in the life-threatening racial climate that they came up in. It is a travesty that they are unable to afford simple amenities, not to mention adequate housing and healthcare.

Meanwhile, we who are honored to follow in their footsteps cannot afford health benefits and have fewer and fewer opportunities to play and educate.

Many of us have families to support, while others cannot even contemplate having a family because of the lack of opportunities.

We have two proposals:

1. Create tax incentives for those who use live musicians at their event.

2. Establish permanent part-time teaching positions in schools and universities for musicians, with health and pension benefits. The positions would be part-time so that musicians wouldn’t have to choose between teaching and performing.

We are appealing to your astute sense of justice, wisdom and love of jazz!

Eve Zanni and other New York City jazz musicians, and musicians from all over the greater U.S.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Musicians4 Obama! Petition to musicians was created by and written by Eve Zanni (musicians4obama@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.