Jazz Society of Pensacola Members

The Jazz Society of Pensacola (JSOP) is an organization of business and professional people, musicians, teachers, students and listeners working together for the purpose of advancing jazz music in Pensacola and the surrounding area. Originating in 1983, JSOP is incorporated as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, affiliated with the Arts Council of Northwest Florida, a founding member of the American Federation of Jazz Societies, and a charter Network Affiliate Member of Jazz Education Network (JEN).

JSOP Officers and Board of Directors

Volunteer Executive Director, Emeritus
Norman Vickers

Administrator
Kathy Lyon

To contact any of the Board members, email jsop1@juno.com or call the office, 850-433-8382.

JSOP Vision

The Jazz Society of Pensacola aspires to be the premier Jazz Society on the Central Gulf Coast dedicated to promoting all forms of jazz—America's Music.

JSOP Mission

We endeavor to provide a social forum for jazz performance, education and enjoyment for listeners and musicians.

JSOP Strategic Plan

The JSOP Board and other involved members recently conducted a series of meetings to develop a Strategic Plan, along with Objectives and specific Goals that all lead to fulfilling our Mission and Vision. By breaking down our Objectives to specific goals, we've identified very specific actions that need to be accomplished.

Click here to download a copy of the JSOP Strategic Plan. Keep in mind that this is a "living document" and will undergo changes and additions frequently. As you look it over, it's clear that there are a lot of areas where we need our members to get involved and help.

Bylaws of the Jazz Society of Pensacola

The Bylaws of the Jazz Society of Pensacola have been updated by a vote of the membership in March of 2010.  Click here to download a copy of the new Bylaws.

JSOP Constitution and Bylaws (.pdf)

How Can You Help?

The Jazz Society can only deliver our programs and continue our mission of supporting jazz through the efforts of our active members. Too often the same small group of people are called on over and over again for help. Many members have identified that they would be willing to volunteer, but we aren’t sure of what they are interested in doing.

Look over the following list of opportunities to help, and let us know what interests you! Helping out with Jazz Society events is a great way to have fun and interact with lots of the nice people who are JSOP members, as well as the jazz-loving public. You can email us or call Kathy Lyon at the office to discuss!

  • Admissions desk at Jazz Gumbos, Jazz Jams and other events

  • Merchandise sales at events, including pick up and return to office

  • Passing out flyers at Jazz Gumbos and other events

  • Calling members to remind them of special events (usually 12-15 calls over several days, leaving messages ok. Needed about 3 or 4 times a year.)

  • Helping to identify and/or contact potential JazzFest sponsors

  • Participating in monthly “Sparkplugs” meetings, the forum for sharing ideas and “brainstorming” about Jazz Society events and efforts

  • Assisting Archivist as needed, with projects such as:
    -Sorting through contributed LPs for “keepers”, etc.
    -Assisting in set-up and management of Lending Library

  • “Muscle” (i.e., moving JazzFest supplies to the JF site, organizing the storage room, picking up boxes of contributed LPs and taking to storage, etc. )

  • Helping new initiatives identified in our Strategic Plan:
    -Conduct Youth Jazz Competition
    -Conduct event to honor Jazz Educator of the Year
    -Develop educational programs in local schools & community groups

  • AND OF COURSE, Helping at JazzFest (in 2 hour blocks of time):
    -Merchandise Tent
    -Information Booth
    -Musician Hospitality
    -V.I.P. Tent
    -Beer/Wine Tent
    -Soft Drinks Booth
    -Poster Tent
    -Transportation
    -Assist JF Director during set-up and JazzFest days
    -Arts & Crafts Exhibit
    -Stage Crew