Jazz Journalists Association
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J. Scott Fugate

 

Member profile details

Membership level
Jazz Journalist (professional- voting member)
First name
J. Scott
Last name
Fugate
photo/avatar
City
Gainesville
Country
United States
I am a jazz
  • writer
  • photographer
  • film maker/videographer
  • audio producer
  • radio/tv program host/producer
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I am also the author/ producer of:
My interests in jazz are:
Jazz inspires me like nothing else - and not just the music in and of itself. It is a different way of looking at the world - beyond boundaries and classifications. It is a spontaneous act of creativity done in community.

I am originally from East St. Louis, and have observed musical divisions along racial lines my entire life, from the inner city of my childhood to the suburbs of my youth I was always disturbed to see something as rich and beautiful as music used to create cultural separation and negative stereotypes. It thus became my mission at an early age to erase these racial lines and find the common thread that will bring people together. Since all contemporary musical styles emerged from the improvisational foundations of jazz & blues – I believe that jazz is a nexus that can breed unity, diversity, and positive communication between people of different taste, race, generation and culture.

Jazz is not simply a singular style or genre, but a creative process of improvisation and communication recreated anew every time someone syncopates a rhythm or improvises a melody . . . a fusion of every culture that colonized America. It is our only original, indigenous art form - and it continues to grow and change as it embraces each new style of music that emerges throughout the world.

Jazz demands that musicians listen to each other, giving each individual an equal opportunity to express themselves as they work together towards a collective groove . . . and allow the audience to swing together in syncopated counterpoint.

Jazz is cooperation rather than competition, synchronicity rather than self-ascendancy, collective expression rather than individual ego. Jazz is freedom - but only within the context of something bigger than ourselves.

That's why I have an interest in writing about, photographing, filming, recording, podcasting, and promoting jazz . . . to capture that essence, spirit, emotion, freedom and groove and share it with the world.
More about what I do:
I've worn many hats over 35 years as a Theatre Professional (Actor, Director, Producer, Artistic Director & Theatre Manager), Acting Teacher & Coach, Workshop Leader, Arts Minister & Creative Facilitator, Jazz & Arts Promoter, DJ, Podcast Producer, Radio Manager, Program & Music Director, Voice-over Talent, College Professor, Technical Writer, Playwright, Screen Writer, Photographer & Videographer.

12 years ago I was feeling a bit stagnant in the Theatre and started seeking out other art forms. One of my life-long passions piqued my interest because it was something I could not do . . . jazz. I was in awe of it - and in an ego free way, due to the fact that I knew it was completely outside my skill set. My passion was pure - unclouded by any personal goals other than love of the art form.

So, I decided to do something to get involved with jazz. Since I couldn't play it, I could least write about it and promote it. There was very little public information about jazz in Atlanta, so I started the Atlanta Jazz Group on Yahoo in 2000 to help create a network amongst musicians and fans to promote local artists and venues for live jazz in Atlanta and the Southeast.

This led to hosting and producing a weekly jazz radio show . . . and eventually running the radio station – Eclectic 89.1 WBCX at Brenau University in Gainesville, GA.

My passion for promoting jazz branded me with the nickname, “The Jazz Evangelist”. After I was called this one night, I used the name as a joke on the radio . . . and it kind of stuck.

I soon went from volunteering to managing the radio station in 2002 at the University where I had also been hired as a Professor in the Mass Communications Department. My goal was to make the radio station a live, local, creative force for social change in one of the most racially divided parts of America - North Georgia - through an eclectic blend of jazz, classical & world music. To that end I developed 10 unique programming formats (a different format for each day and night) and facilitated the development and production of over 80 independent shows from students and community members.

When the University decided that students could run the station for free, they eliminated my position - leaving me as a jobless jazz promoter in NE Georgia.

Through the help and training of the JJA eyeJAZZ program last year, I was given the knowledge and confidence to start my own business - Jazz Evangelist Productions & Promotions (http://jazzevangelist.net/) providing tailor-made video & audio productions for the promotion of music & culture. Services are also offered in photography and the writing of articles, press releases, reviews, EPKs, etc. as well as performance coaching, branding and promotion.

I likewise produce & host several podcast (weekly & monthly) on http://www.soulandjazz.com/
I support the JJA because
Jazz is important - journalism is important. Without journalism people may not learn or hear about the jazz . . .thus, I support any efforts in this area.

Journalism has devolved into political pandering and propaganda - so jazz journalism may be the last bastion of real journalism left in America.
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