The Naples Jazz Orchestra Goes Dark

From:
Bob Stone
March 16, 2016 at 4:38pm
Musical Director, The Naples Jazz Orchestra

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the termination of The Naples Jazz Orchestra effective March 15.

Despite a healthy attendance at our last concert in Naples and a very successful performance at The Sarasota Jazz Festival last Tuesday, ticket sales for the final four concerts are insufficient to meet the costs of production. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to continue subsidizing the orchestra with personal financial resources in addition to our donated time. Since The NJO operated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, unredeemed tickets will qualify as charitable deductions at face value.

The Naples Jazz Orchestra has been recognized nationally as one of the best big bands in America and we would prefer to maintain the dignity that the organization deserves, despite the fact that the local audience has failed to support it in a sustainable way. While we are the first to recognize certain deficits in public relations/marketing/fundraising since the move from Cambier Park, oft-repeated requests for financial support have not been heeded in order to continue the concert series. Many people will attribute our current situation to moving inside an auditorium, but the orchestra would have become insolvent earlier in this year because of continuing unpredictable weather patterns.

This situation is doubly troubling because the demographics of southwest Florida reflect an age group with leisure time and a concentration of wealth unknown to most parts of the world and yet fails to sustain the music of their generation. Jazz is America’s music and The Naples Jazz Orchestra has been a gift to this city, but has not been invited to share in the public’s generosity when tens of millions of dollars have been donated to other (mostly amateur) arts organizations.

Now it’s the end of an era.

Thank you for your past patronage.
Best regards,

Pamela Carey
President & Orchestra Manager
Bob Stone
Musical Director

http://www.naplesjazzorchestra.com
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