CBJC OVERVIEW

The Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (CBJC) is an organization of venues and individuals committed to the development and preservation of Jazz and related art forms throughout the Borough of Brooklyn. Organized in 1999, the Consortium is the realization of years of discussions between representatives of Jazpazaz Preservation Society( Ms Alma Carroll), Jazz 966 (Torrie McCartney), Sistas’ Place (Viola Plummer), and SoFocus (Deacon Leroy Applin) on the importance and need for such a body.

Co-founder Jitu Weusi was elected the first chairperson in December 1999, along with Alma Carroll Treasurer, Torrie McCartney Facilitator, Colette Penn Recording Secretary, Loretta Washington Financial Secretary, Pauline Barfield Event Planner and Jacqui Woods as Public Relations. CBJC subsequently produced its first festival April 1- 9, 2000. The Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame was born and nine inductees were honored to identify and honor contributors to the history of Jazz, both internationally and in Brooklyn. Video documentation was facilitated throughout the festival.

Ahmed Abdullah, as Chair of the Education Committee, linked the Hall of Fame to a strong educational component that culminated in a series of public tributes to Cal Massey (2001); Max Roach (2002); Randy Weston and Gigi Gryce (2003); Chief Bey and Eubie Blake (2004); Kenny Dorham and Reggie Workman (2005). These events became showcases through which Brooklyn’s public school students would become familiar with the lives of the Hall of Fame inductees by learning their history and, whenever appropriate, by preparing to perform their compositions in special public concerts.


Other members of the CBJC Steering Committee include consultants Bessie Edwards of BR Edwards Associates and Jacqui Woods of BAM Local Development Corporation; Peggy Alston of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Center Arts & Culture; Bob Myers of Up Over Jazz Café; Alma Carroll of Jazzpazzaz Preservation Society; Clarence Mosley of JP Morgan Chase Bank; Sam Pinn of Jazz 966; Wayne Winston of Non-Stop Production; Viola Plummer of Sistas’ Place; Michael Howard of United Music Makers; Bonnie Sandy-Sterling of Artist Mosaic FashionFlyte; JoAnn Cheatham of Pure Jazz Magazine; Eddie Freeman of Sugarhill Restaurant Supper Club & Disco; Ethel Carter of Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church/Victory Arts Project; Richard D’Abreu and Phil Bingham of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ; Bob Gray of Studio 243; Angela Hope Weusi of Long Life Information & Referral Network; Lillithe Meyers of The Jazz Spot; Joe Long of Birdell’s Records; Rev. Patrick Perrin of Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church; Cheryl de Barros-Butcher of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church October Club; Zabaidah N. Rasul of Sankofa; Bill Rutherford of Pumpkins; Gerry Eastman of Williamsburg Music Center; Jeff King of Afroart Designs; Cheryl Griffin of Bedford Stuyvesant Legal Service; Richard Green of Crown Heights Youth Collective; Sabor of Jazz Associates; Jitu Weusi of National Black United Front; Garland Core, Jr. Janes United Methodist Church; Ahmed Abdullah of Melchizedek Music Productions; Wade Barnes of Brooklyn 4 Plus One; Dr. Mary Umolu of Medgar Evers College; CBJC MUSICIANS Eric Frazier, Bob Cunningham, Benny Powell, Stanley Banks, and Ed Stoute. Gerri Eastman and Jeff King!

Full Membership List

CBJC Board
OFFICERS

Chairperson
Jitu Weusi

Treasurer
Alma Carroll

Recording Secretary
Harold Valle

Financial Secretary
Lauryn Jackson

Facilitator
Michael Howard

Resource Developer
Jacqui Woods

Event Planner
Bessie R. Edwards

Grants Researcher
Wade Barnes

Stanley Banks
JoAnn Cheatham
Garland Core Jr.
Bob Cunningham
Robert Myers
Bonnie Sandy-Sterling