Rim Country Gazette: Reynolds wants input to save jazz concerts

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Reynolds wants input to save jazz concerts

Local jazz drummer Gerry Reynolds organizes the jazz concert series held at Community Presbyterian Church on Payson's historic Main Street.

By Gerry Reynolds

Why do people come to the Community Presbyterian Church?

Well, I believe good music stirs the soul and just connects with people, and it can calm the soul and relax you. I can play with others for hours and it seems time passes so quickly. Listening to good music is joyful; our brains emit the hormone dopamine which allows our body to feel good about being involved with something we enjoy. Many enjoy the rhythm and beat found in the music - observe the foot tapping. Some receive profound joy hearing chords or harmony, while others gain meaning from the lyrics. In some cultures, music is an important part of their daily life. It appears for many in our community, a regular dose of live music gives value to their life as well.

The Payson Friends of Jazz

Friends are music fans, those who come regularly to fill the seats, volunteer at the front door, bring cookies and refreshments, move chairs and manage the sound system, take out the trash, provide the facility, and who make donations to compensate the musicians. Without having this continuing relationship with our Friends, I couldn't provide the live music that many enjoy.

The music performances

Since 2001 with the Friends of Jazz, I have brought many of the biggest names in Arizona jazz, and on occasion biggest names nationally, to the Payson Community Presbyterian Church to perform on a Sunday afternoon. I am committed to continuing these performances, and to increasing the number of people who attend them by broadening the financial base of support for the performances.

The fact is, in order to properly compensate any music group I need to have at least 100 in attendance at any performance (with a $5 per head donation.) As of now, no source of additional financial support has been identified beyond the donations we

receive at the door.

Normally, we have fewer than 100 attending, and 85 is considered average. Doing the math, you find that I'm coming up a bit short. But still, 85 is a good house. Some have said that the donation amount should be increased -- "where can anyone find this live music entertainment (value) in Arizona for as little as five bucks!" they say. Good point, but I'd rather have the church filled with folks making a five buck (or less) donation rather than have it half-filled with folks giving more.

Nonetheless, having a few hundred dollars extra for each performance will mean that I can continue to bring top-notch performers to Payson. But I also know that folks are very carefully spending their discretionary money these days. So, I want to hear from you about any leads you have about patrons, sponsors, contributors or donors who

should be approached about supporting the music performances.

What will more financial help achieve?

* Better programming - Varied and high profile performers will be affordable.
* Better attendance - Quality (varied, high profile) performers draw better crowds.
* Better scheduling - a better, year-long music series can be planned and promoted.

About the Community Presbyterian Church

The Community Presbyterian Church has received the appropriate copyright license needed to give live musical performances in the church. The church is a non-profit 501(3)(c) organization, which means it is able to receive non-taxable monetary donations for the specific purpose of financing music performances. All members of the community are invited to attend these performances- this is an open-door community activity sponsored by the church and the Friends of Jazz.