The Space Coast Jazz Society is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to keeping jazz alive on Florida's Space Coast. Every month, we present a concert performed by first-rate Florida jazz musicians and popular jazz ensembles from around the country. The charge is usually $7 for SCJS members and $10 for nonmembers. No charge for students. Our special events include an annual picnic and jazz jam, and a gala Christmas Party and dinner dance. The monthly concerts are usually at the Cocoa Beach Country Club off Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach.
Originally known as the Jazz Society of Brevard, our organization was cofounded in 1986 by jazz broadcaster Jack Simpson and Big Band vocalist Allan Simms. Our education program focuses on students from elementary grades right on up to ollege. We offer scholarships to young musicians who plan to pursue a career in jazz. We bring live jazz to elementary and middle schools, often giving young people their first taste of America's original art form. Hopefully, this is more than just a fun experience for the youngsters. In some cases, it makes them want to hear a lot more jazz at home and perhaps makes them want to become a jazz artist.
We also give continued direct support to high school jazz, especially to some fine annual high school jazz festivals and workshop programs. High school band instructors tell us that our support enables them to do things not covered by the regular school system budgets.
Students are always invited to attend our monthly concerts free of charge. We are currently seeking students for a student advisory council that will help us create even more opportunities for young musicians.
Our outreach program is aimed at the community. Its most ambitious project has been the creation of a jazz archive at the Central Brevard Library in Cocoa, which will include jazz books, CDs and video materials that are otherwise difficult for the public to find. Each year we add to the collection. From time to time we sponsor jazz forums in the libraries. We also produce this web site, which plays a vital part in keeping jazz alive on the Space Coast. It tells the whole world about the great jazz in and around Brevard County. Many of our fine monthly concerts feature well known musicians who heard about us on the Internet. Perhaps one of our best jazz efforts is our weekly email newsletter, which gives listings of all the places where you can hear live jazz.
From the handful of jazz aficionados who gathered in a small room in the 1980's, the SCJS has grown into a vital organization with more than 400 members. Help us grow even more by becoming a member yourself. Our annual fees are $25 for a family or couple and $15 for individuals. Patron rates are available for those who can afford to spend more on memberships. You can be a listening member who comes just for the music and to socialize, or you can become an active member who helps us keep jazz alive on the Space Coast.
