JOIN the JJA- Become a Prof. Journalist, Student or First-time, one-year (non-voting) member

Professional Members
Writers, photographers, film makers, videographers, radio and web producers and others who cover jazz in a professional or semi-professional capacity are eligible to become

professional JJA members. Professional Members nominate and vote in the annual JJA Jazz Awards and in internal JJA elections and receive all other member benefits - First time, one-year members will be able to vote upon renewal in 2024.

If your primary professional work is not jazz journalism or media production but you work in an allied field or wish to support the JJA's efforts please consider becoming an JJA Industry Associate or Supporter  instead.

There are many benefits to Professional JJA Membership
 including

• a listing in JJA Member Directories
• free or discounted admission to JJA educational programs, including webinars, workshops and conferences on new techniques, strategies and opportunities, as journalism and the music industry are transformed by online technologies and social media.
  
•  free or discounted admission to JJA events.
• Inclusion in JJA platforms and outlets, including JJANews.org, JJAJazzAwards.org, the JJA's Facebook members' only discussions and public page, Twitter and Instagram accounts. 
• As a JJA member you'll have the opportunity to network with colleagues and industry associates around the world who share your professional interests and concerns
• the opportunity to publicize your work and achievements in the monthly members updates, posted on JJA News, distributed widely to jazz industry professionals and the interested public.
• the opportunity to participate in JJA-sponsored public events aimed at expanding and educating the jazz audience

First-time, one-year (non-voting) Membership

• First-time, one year memberships are being offered from March 18 through June 1, 2024, at the discounted dues rate of $50 (from $90). First-time one-year members will NOT nominate but MAY VOTE in the 2024 JJA Jazz Awards; they will be able to nominate as well as vote upon full cost dues renewal in 2025.

• Student Members

Full-time students (and certain others) with a clear interest in learning to be professional jazz journalists can apply to become Student Members. Applications for and renewals of student membership must be approved before they take effect. We may "interview" you via email after you apply to learn more about your interests and to determine whether you are eligible for student membership.  We do this because JJA student membership is intended to serve as an "apprenticeship" in jazz journalism, it is not simply a discount  dues category.  

• In general (there can be exceptions, see below)  the student category is reserved mostly for younger members who are full-time students: high school, college and some graduate students.  Applicants must also demonstrate an interest in learning about jazz journalism.
• If you are not a full-time student, but are a  full-time media intern or are otherwise making significant efforts to learn jazz journalism outside an academic setting, you may be eligible for student membership. Please apply and tell us about what you are doing and why you want to have an"apprenticeship" in jazz journalism.   If you already consider yourself a journalism professional you should not apply in this category.  Please apply for full professional membership instead. (If you are unsure where you fit, please write admin@jazzjournalists.org and ask.)
• Those who have returned to school after having worked as jazz journalists or in allied fields are generally NOT eligible for student membership and are encouraged to apply for full professional membership or industry associate membership instead.

If your student membership application is not approved and you paid dues at the time of your application, your payment will be refunded.

JJA Student Member Benefits:
Student members do not make nominations or vote, but are eligible for other benefits of membership, including free or discounted admission to JJA events and educational programs, as well as mentoring by veteran JJA members.
 
IF YOU ARE A CURRENT OR LAPSED JJA MEMBER DO *NOT* USE THIS FORM TO RENEW.  YOU MUST LOGIN TO YOUR PROFILE AND RENEW THERE.

To join now, choose the appropriate level below and click "next".  IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE A DISCOUNT CODE, YOU WILL BE ASKED FOR IT DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.