Announcing the 2024 Artistic Development Winners.
Honoring the memory of John Stites and his passion for jazz music
Honoring the memory of John Stites and his passion for jazz music
Posted March 6, 2023
Jazz on Wheels has been serving the community of Flint Michigan for over 20 years in dual roles, both as partner with civic leaders and community organizers, and as a purveyor of Jazz, a true American art form. Our signature stage truck allows us to bring the music to underserved and overlooked segments of the population who have perhaps never been exposed to this music. We play events such as Civic Pride Marches, Anti-Violence Rallies, Stand up For Veterans, Water Crisis Commemorations, Health Expos and Neighborhood Beautification Days to name a few. Providing a backdrop of live Jazz to such positive events is the icing on the cake.
Aside from partnering with those events, we also produce our own concerts in the area. For the last three years, during the summer, we have set up shop at the Old Farmers Market every Friday evening. This is basically an abandoned space that has immeasurable sentimental value to residents of Flint and surrounding areas. It’s a safe, quiet
sanctuary that we’ve transformed into a weekly Jazz Festival featuring top performers from Flint, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Toledo and beyond. We always welcome young players to join us in the spirit of camaraderie and mentorship. Jazz education goes beyond the classroom. It is incumbent upon the seasoned players to share their experiences with the younger ones to keep this music alive. Jazz on Wheels is grateful to the JSJA for helping to do just that.
John loved music with all his heart and was the ideal recording engineer – a profession into which he poured all his considerable talents and artistry.
Dan Gustin
The John Stites Jazz Awards (JSJA) are funded by the John Stites Jazz Artist Organization.
The organization funds advanced studies for emerging and established professional jazz musicians, as well as personal development projects which enhance their career opportunities.