Aaron Parks felt left behind. The original wave of COVID-19 had just hit, and the GRAMMY-nominated jazz pianistt's livelihood and chosen form of self-expression—which he performs in close quarters amid reams of moving air—was, virologically speaking, an indefensible enterprise. Which was terrifying, given he had a newly pregnant wife and a young puppy.

"In those early, first few months of the pandemic, it felt like everyone was getting a bailout except for performing artists," the New York keyboardist, who has played with luminaries from guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel to drummer Billy Hart, tells GRAMMY.com, a hint of frustration remaining in his voice. He pauses. "I mean, I know that's not true, but it wasn't really high on their list of priorities."

Parks surveyed the sacrifices he'd need to make. Like many of his colleagues, he took to teaching private lessons—sometimes for too many students at a time—which left precious little time for creativity. Just then, a guardian angel came through: The Jazz Coalition, a financial support initiative spearheaded by NYC Winter Jazzfest's Brice Rosenbloom, artist manager Gail Boyd and concert producer Danny Melnick. With the help of an assemblage of music professionals, advocates and fans, they collected enough donations for the Jazz Coalition Commission Fund, which distributed $1,000 each to a total of 104 artists.

The full list of Jazz Coalition members can be found here; see the full list of recipients below.

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To hear Parks tell it, the cash helped him and his 103 colleagues breathe easier. "There were other ones that came through, for sure," he says. "But [the Jazz Coalition Commission Fund] was one of the first ones where I was just like, 'OK, I can breathe a little bit.'"

James Carter | Photo: Vincent Soyez

The Commission Fund began when the Jazz Coalition cast out a net in the music community, offering industry members membership for a minimum donation of $100. Those members nominated artists to be in the running for the grant. Then, a peer-jury process determined the eventual winners. 

The names they chose represent a diversity of working jazz musicians ranging from relatively unknown to widely acclaimed: from saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, bassist Linda May Han Oh, pianist Elio Villafranca, double bassist William Parker, and everybody in between. (The list also includes the late drummer Ralph Peterson and trumpeter Jon Hassell, who both died in 2021.)

Four of those recipients praised the Jazz Coalition Commission Fund in recent calls with GRAMMY.com.

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Like her colleagues, alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin received the news as a surprise; she hadn't applied for the grant herself. "My manager called me and I assumed it was just another cancellation or something," she dryly tells GRAMMY.com. "I had joked around with her, 'I'm never going to get a grant!' [Faux-sullen voice.]" She credits the unexpected cash boost as a boon to her mental health. Guitarist Brandon Ross, who plays in the ensemble Harriet Tubman alongside bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer J.T. Lewis, echoes the sentiment.

"Those of us who are freelance are continually unemployed and seeking employment. We have to be self-motivated and organized enough to manage ourselves and our inner and outer resources to productive ends," he explains to GRAMMY.com. "Anything that alleviated the stress levels was a blessing."

Lakecia Benjamin | Photo: Elizabeth Leitzell 

Granted, a grand can be a modest sum for someone with kids and a mortgage. But combined with other grants—or just on its own to cover a few grocery runs—a little help can go a long way. "I mean, there's still going to be worrying, whatever about," saxophonist James Carter tells GRAMMY.com. "But it definitely gives you one less egg to fry on that stove, so to speak. That continues to be a perpetual godsend."

Read More: Let Me Play The Answers: 8 Jazz Artists Honoring Black Geniuses

The Jazz Coalition Commission Fund isn't just a bunch of distributed checks, though: It doubles as an ocean of curated offerings from its recipients. In an immersive online gallery, you'll find video shorts, remote collaborations, clips from livestreamed gigs, and other assorted home and studio footage. Spend a day wading through this smorgasbord of musical riches, and even the uninitiated will receive a crash course in the state of creative music in 2021.

Again, it can't be overstated how a cash boost can give musicians not only extra spending money, but the mental and spiritual bandwidth to create. "Everything helps," saxophonist James Brandon Lewis tells GRAMMY.com. "I and others are nowhere near being out of the woods yet—not even close. But some temporary time to breathe was encouraging so I could make a piece of music that would touch peoples' hearts and minds."

Those interested can become a Jazz Coalition member here and donate to the initiative here.

Complete list of Jazz Coalition Commission Fund recipients:

Inaugural:

Aaron Myers
Aaron Parks
Alexa Tarantino
Alfredo Colon
Amir ElSaffar
Amirtha Kidambi
Anthony Wilson
Ashley Henry
Ben Lamar Gay
Ben Williams
Bertha Hope
Brandee Younger
Brandon Ross
Camila Meza
Camille Thurman
Chris Morrissey
Christian Sands
Christine Jensen
David Torkanowsky
Dayme Arocena
DJ Logic
Dred Scott
Elio Villafranca
Greg Ward
Herlin Riley
Jaimie Branch
James Brandon Lewis
James Carter
Jazzmeia Horn
Joel Ross
John Santos
Johnathan Blake
Jon Cowherd
Jon Hassell
Kate Gentile
Lakecia Benjamin
Linda May Han Oh
Melissa Aldana
Mino Cinélu
Monnette Sudler
Nduduzo Makhathini
Orrin Evans
Rio Sakairi, The Jazz Gallery
Roy Nathanson
Sara Serpa
Shabaka Hutchings
Tarus Mateen
Tim Berne
Vincent Herring
Wallace Roney Jr.
Wayne Horvitz

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