What We Do

The Naples Jazz Society, Inc. was founded in 1995, for the purpose of sponsoring, preserving, and promoting jazz music in southwest Florida.

The word “jazz” can have many meanings, but our emphasis is on the earlier forms of music. Therefore, we support the bands that play the American music of the 1890-1940 era – those golden years when the Dixieland jazz style of music and Swing music as well as the Great American Song Book was developing.

Our Immediate priority has been the survival of our local Dixieland Jazz bands. All of them would have disappeared without our sponsorship. The Happy Jazz Band performs for Veterans Events, Charitable Events and Senior facilities.

The Naples Dixieland Jazzband is in its 28th season of monthly winter concerts in Cambier Park, but could not continue without our sponsorship. These free concerts are an important tradition, and a cultural asset to our community.

The Naples Jazzmasters has played free summer concerts at the Norris Center and the River Park Community Center for over 13 years. Again, these 24 performances each year would be lost without Society support.

Why?

Often the audience donations don’t cover all of the concert expenses, and the Naples Jazz Society must step in to pay the bills. Also, the performances are usually on City property, and the City requires sponsorship by a non-profit corporation, and a Certificate of Liability Insurance. So without the Society’s help the concerts would not happen!

Looking toward the future, the society is trying to interest young musicians in this style of music. Our funds are limited, but we have sent occasional checks to the Naples High School Band Boosters organization and to the Music for Minors Organization – which provides musical instruments to deserving young people in Collier and Lee counties. We intend to continue helping needy kids with their musical careers. YOUR donations will make this possible.

Even in its early years, The Naples Jazz Society has been very active with this mission. For example, in 2000 the Society presented nine jazz concerts, featuring prominent bands, and used the ticket revenue from these audiences to send 20 local children to a jazz educational summer camp. These scholarships were valued at $500 each, totaling $10,000. Recently we have not had the revenue to do this but we’d  sure like to do that again!

Our musicians and their listeners love jazz and want this kind lot music to survive. But the Naples Jazz Society needs your donations to make all these things possible. Collections from happy audiences are the main source of income to the Jazz Society. We also receive generous donations from individuals and local businesses – the most important one being sponsorship of some of our activities by the Naples Daily News.

Our bands have performed pro bono for the Collier County -Lee County Honor Flights. We entertain the supporters of our veterans as they wait for the veterans to come home after visiting the military monuments in Washington D.C. 

We’ll keep this American heritage alive and well in Collier County by supporting the bands and musicians that play the old tunes, and by encouraging young musicians to continue this tradition.

Please join us in this wonderful activity — and enjoy this FUN music !

The Naples Jazz Society Inc. was chartered as a not-for-profit Florida corporation in 1995. Our corporation then became inactive for a while, but was recently reorganized with new leadership, and re-dedicated to its original objectives.

It is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, so donations to it are considered tax deductible. Please send us a check, and we’ll supply a letter documenting your donation for tax purposes. We need and appreciate your help !

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