Fundamental to the VJC's growth is a strong infrastructure based on well-organized internal and community support.
The VJC recently restructured its Board of Directors and is developing new systems of fund raising so that it can continue to flourish. If you would like to help the Vermont Jazz Center financially, you can donate online or use our Pledge form to contact us.
The Vermont Jazz Center is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization. Your contribution is completely tax deductible.
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Mission
The Vermont Jazz Center is dedicated to creating and preserving jazz through the presentation of workshops, concerts, and instruction to a broad constituency of artists, students, and the general public.
History
The history of the Vermont Jazz Center reaches back to the early 1970's, when the late founding Director, jazz guitarist Attila Zoller, would invite numerous musicians from New York City to unwind and create at his home in Newfane, Vermont.
Renowned jazz artists such as George Mraz, Sir Roland Hanna, Ron Carter, Lee Konitz, Don Friedman, Jimmy Raney, and Kenny Barron grew to appreciate the beauty and tranquility of southeastern Vermont. From these beginnings grew the renowned summer workshop series, which evolved into the Vermont Jazz Center.
In 1997 Zoller passed the torch to pianist, Eugene Uman, who together with his wife, Elsa Borrero and Board President Howard Brofsky, developed the jazz center into a year ‘round program that hosts monthly concerts featuring some of the world’s most innovative jazz musicians. Thanks to Borrero’s financial and production skills, Brofsky’s wisdom, Zoller’s tremendous contacts, the help of generous supporters, a deeply committed board of directors and numerous friends and volunteers, the jazz center evolved to manifest Uman’s vision to provide a nurturing environment where concerts, workshops, weekly jam sessions, classes in jazz history, ensembles and private lessons are held.
The Jazz Center is run by Artistic Director Eugene Uman and Administrative Coordinator Beth Kiendl, along with Office Manager Patti Frankel, Administrative Assistant Robby Roiter, the Board of Directors and the support of a strong grassroots community of musicians and jazz lovers.
Today the Vermont Jazz Center is located in Brattleboro's Cotton Mill Hill Complex; the site includes a classroom, office space and 170-seat performance hall. The pleasant, loft-style space is reminiscent of New York’s SoHo district; it claims favorable acoustics and is equipped with an ample, lighted stage, a Yamaha C7 grand piano, a Yamaha Oak-Custom drum set, and Mackie PA equipment.
VJC Board of Directors:
Howard Brofsky, President
Lucinda Brown, Vice President
Annie Landenberger, Secretary and Treasurer
Beth Kiendl
Sherm Fox
Jack Mann
Lucinda Brown
Elsa Borrero
Mark Baker
Steve Frankel
Mark Anagnostopulos
Honorary Members/Advisors
Jimmy Heath
Sheila Jordan
Nadev Kennan
Wendy McGrath
Michael McKenzie
Gene Rush
Bobby Sanabria
Dr. Billy Taylor
Eugene Uman
Robin Westen
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