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25th Anniversary Sponsorship

  • Next season marks the “We Always Swing”® Jazz Series’ 25th Anniversary, a benchmark for sure.
  • The Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau recently placed the Jazz Series in its “Signature Series” programs, one of only six projects in Columbia with such standing.
  • We are one of fewer than 10 all-jazz, community-based projects in the United States located in a market such as ours, that figure being approximately 225,000 people in a 30-mile radius.
  • The Jazz Series has been recognized nationally as one of the country’s finer all-jazz projects, regardless of market.
  • To date, we have produced more than 300 major jazz concerts, featuring more than 1,500 of the world’s finest musicians including, but not limited to: Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland. The National Endowment for the Arts’ “Jazz Masters” Program began in 1982 — the highest honor bestowed upon jazz artists. Including the 2021 inductees, there are 167 NEA Jazz Masters. Consider that 46 of the Jazz Masters — 27.5% of them — have been to Columbia, participating in the “We Always Swing”® Jazz Series.
  • To date, through in-school activities, concerts and the like, we have introduced more than 35,000 Columbia Public School elementary-aged students spanning more than a generation to jazz.

    • Level of Support Requested: $3,500-$7,500

    Sponsorship at top of range would incorporate a myriad of activities in the performance, educational and community-based arenas. The sponsorship will include the following elements:

  • Assist in underwriting ONE [1] of our “District” Concerts* (*Some entities have already committed to some of these concerts. While we have multiple sponsors for various performances, we honor the concept of non-competing entities sharing such support unless all parties agree beforehand.). Currently includes these FOUR concerts:
    • An Evening with Branford Marsalis, October 17, 2021, Missouri Theatre
    • Pedrito Martinez Quartet PLUS Special Guest, Trombonist Conrad Herwig.
      [Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa Memorial Concert]      , Wednesday, November 13, 2021, Kimball Ballroom, Stephens College
    • A 25th Anniversary Special Double-Bill: Joey DeFrancesco Trio & Etienne Charles Creole Soul, Sunday, March 1, 2022, The Blue Note
    • Messenger Legacy Band: The Art Blakey Centennial Celebration with Ralph Peterson (dms), Bill Pierce (ts), Bobby Watson (as), Brian Lynch (tpt), Geoffrey Keezer (p), Essiet Essiet (b), Thursday, March 19, Missouri Theatre.
    • Christian McBride-Benny Green Reunion: Honoring James Williams —
      A Benefit for Jazz Education      , Thursday, April 23, 2022, First Baptist Church
  • Education Sponsor:
    • Help underwrite our annual Children’s Concerts, which attract up to 1,800, K-5 students to Hickman Auditorium.
    • Help underwrite our partnership with MU School of Music’s Jazz Studies’ Department where we create and administrate performance opportunities throughout the community as well as within schools have aspiring MU music/jazz majors gain “real-life” teaching/performing experiences.
  • “Jazz Appreciation Month” Sponsor: April 1-30, 2022:
    • The Jazz Series produces more than 20 events each April, capped off by International Jazz Day, which is celebrated in 190+ countries around the world. The Jazz Series plans concerts, community performances/events, educational activities, etc. Last season Jazz Series produced 25 events in 30 days. [This is a special multi-element sponsorship.]
  • Additional: Customize Sponsorships/Gifts:
    • If sponsor would like to design its own types of support, the Jazz Series is open to such an arrangement. We try to treat all sponsors/contributors as fairly as we can in relation to each other.

    Sponsorship Benefits & Recognition

    SPONSOR RECEIVES:

    • Recognition from stage at Sponsored “District” Concert & Other Sponsored Education/Community Events and/or “Jazz Appreciation Month” events
    • Sponsor Logo on Jazz Series website – wealwaysswing.org – with link to Sponsor website. Listed among “Special Assistance Provided By” Sponsors
    • Sponsor Banner on website Home Page, rotated with other same event sponsors.
    • Digital Sponsor Banner placed on Jazz Series Home Page, Education Page & Specific Artist Page in rotation with other similar sponsors.
    • Sponsor Logo placed on Concert-related print materials including event poster, flyer, and handbills and newspaper ads as well as other promotional items, (i.e. postcard if printed).
    • Sponsor Logo included in Event-related tv/radio spots (subject to broadcast).
    • Jazz Series Concert Review Complimentary FULL-PAGE color display notice in ALL FOUR print program books. Concert Programs are offered gratis to audiences at each concert. Sponsor can alter ad copy as often as he/she likes. [Each book covers 2-3 concerts.]

    ADDITIONAL:

    • Four (4) Complimentary Tickets available to Sponsored Concert.
    • Company-Wide Ticket Discounts. Additional tickets available to sponsor employees/staff and clients to purchase at a per ticket discount. Ticket availability may vary.
    • Complimentary Tickets to additional Non-Murry’s concerts (Subject To Availability).
    • Other Sponsors/Same Event/Non-Compete: The Jazz Series reserves the right to attract other sponsors on the same or different levels for the same event but guarantees, unless permission given, that no other sponsor will be in direct competition with said sponsor.
    • Invitations to all Jazz Series receptions and special events. [Special Fundraising events exempt.]

    JAZZ SERIES REQUESTS:

    • Jazz Series Requests Logo Placement/Tagline on Sponsor website. Sample wording: “We are pleased to support the ’We Always Swing’® Jazz Series” with logo [“The Swinging Saxophonist” adjacent to tagline.]
    • Placement of Organization’s Informational Materials at Sponsor’s place of business – if in a public setting.

    PAYMENT PLANS:

    • The Jazz Series’ fiscal year is July 1-June 30. Total sponsorship amount is PLEDGED at the outset. Jazz Series requests payment to be made in full no later than June 30, 2022, the completion of its fiscal year. All forms of payment are accepted.

    CUSTOMIZED SPONSORSHIPS:

    • The Jazz Series welcomes Sponsors’ suggestions on “customizing” their support. Please do not hesitate to inquire about variations of the above.


    All performances/personnel, dates are subject to Pandemic Developments. We adhere to Boone Co./Columbia Health Dept. & CDC Guidelines.

    © 2009—2024 "We Always Swing" ® Jazz Series. All Rights Reserved. 21 N. 10th St., Columbia, MO 65201 | Tickets: 573-449-3009 ext. 1

    The "We Always Swing”® Jazz Series is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation administered by “We Always Swing,” Inc. The Jazz Series is supported by: concert revenue; federal, state and local grants and contracts; corporate sponsorships; underwriting and advertising-derived income; and by the generosity of individuals who make tax-deductible contributions. “We Always Swing”® and “The Swinging Saxophonist”™ logo are registered trademarks of “We Always Swing,”® Inc./National Pastimes Productions™ and may not be reproduced in print or digital format without prior consent.