JazzTimes apparently in trouble

[ghost of miles]

Doesn't sound good for JazzTimes.

[Ken Dryden]

Who would have thought that the loss of one major advertiser could cause them to go out of business? It doesn't say much for the sales department.

In any case, it's a shame that there's one less magazine promoting jazz.

[JSngry]

People used to scoff at down beat's more rudimental format and look, but I bet it's a helluva lot less expensive. But maybe not, especially now that they've upped.

I've read JT on and off since it was in the newsprint format. Might even have a copy or two of Radio Free Jazz, not sure. It used to be a fun read, lots of good writing and interviews. It would be sad to see it go, but it would be a lie for me to say that the magazine has been mostly one big yawn to me for the last 5-6 years, not unlike the music(s) it has elected to cover. "Slick" applies to more than just the physical format...

[ghost of miles]

I've subscribed for the past 4 years (subscribe to Downbeat and Cadence too) and I dunno, I think it's just that they cover a very broad variety of jazz artists...so yeah, David Sanborn's on a recent cover, but then Rahsaan Roland Kirk's on the cover a few issues before that. It's a pretty mainstream jazz publication, but it evidently had a circulation of 100,000, and I think the jazz world needs mainstream mags just as much as it needs, say, Cadence or Coda (Coda gone now as well). Problem is that it's a really, really tough market right now for any print version of a jazz mag.

[rostasi]

Back in the days of the CD store, JazzTimes sent a promo package

about their magazine. Nothing wrong with a little promotion -

trying to get their magazine carried in the store, but after reading

material that crowed about their love and respect for jazz,

the cover of the magazine that they sent - the cover -

had Monk's name spelled incorrectly! When I got a call

a couple weeks later from someone representing them,

I told him that it was a bit hard to take them seriously with a goof-up like this.

He got belligerent and hung up.

So much for JazzTimes.

Edited June 6, 2009 by rostasi

[bertrand]

I was wondering why it had been so long since the last issue.

Has there been another issue since the one with Zorn on the cover?

Bertrand.

[ghost of miles]

I was wondering why it had been so long since the last issue.

Has there been another issue since the one with Zorn on the cover?

Bertrand.

Nope--that's the last one I got, anyway.

[7/4]

Back in the days of the CD store, JazzTimes sent a promo package

about their magazine. Nothing wrong with a little promotion -

trying to get their magazine carried in the store, but after reading

material that crowed about their love and respect for jazz,

the cover of the magazine that they sent - the cover -

had Monk's name spelled incorrectly! When I got a call

a couple weeks later from someone representing them,

I told him that it was a bit hard to take them seriously with a goof-up like this.

He got belegerant and hung up.

So much for JazzTimes.

I think I've read maybe one issue in 16 years.

[JSngry]

I've subscribed for the past 4 years (subscribe to Downbeat and Cadence too) and I dunno, I think it's just that they cover a very broad variety of jazz artists...so yeah, David Sanborn's on a recent cover, but then Rahsaan Roland Kirk's on the cover a few issues before that. It's a pretty mainstream jazz publication, but it evidently had a circulation of 100,000, and I think the jazz world needs mainstream mags just as much as it needs, say, Cadence or Coda (Coda gone now as well). Problem is that it's a really, really tough market right now for any print version of a jazz mag.

No argument about any of that, it's just that whatever they covered, they covered...."professionally"...I was getting to where I knew what I was going to read it before I read it - in substance and "tone". Not a whole lot of real insight or new knowledge overall...then again, I'm probably not their target market.

[Ken Dryden]

I can't say I was happy with the JazzTimes editor I dealt with, who brushed me off about becoming a contributor, nor the excess of vacuous smooth jazz coverage that they added. I dropped my subscription around 2002 after 12-13 years.

I remember Bill Milkowski (during one IAJE) bragging about getting two JT writers fired for their lack of jazz knowledge. The magazine published a letter I wrote criticizing a reviewer who couldn't tell the difference between Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" and McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance," when the latter song was mislabeled as the former on a live Will Calhoun CD.

One former JT contributor told me he was unhappy with the quality of the work of some of the newly added writers in recent years, though I don't feel comfortable posting his name without permission.

I haven't subscribed to Downbeat in ages. I was especially glad to have cancelled after seeing one with the fool known as Prince on the cover. That's a little too beyond jazz for me.

[Jazzmoose]

I enjoyed JazzTimes back when I was first discovering (or, I guess 'rediscovering') jazz, but the BNBB and then this place replaced it with ease. Still, I would regret it not being there for people who need it.

[Bright Moments]

i enjoy jazz times!

i especially like the monthly blindfold test (before and after) and the reviews!

i think y'all who are dissin' it are a bit too pedantic fer me. (OMG that sounded too much like CLEM!)

i hope they don't fold!

[BeBop]

In the past eight weeks, six (of the seventy) magazines I subscribe to have ceased publishing...at least 'on paper'. Tough times. Obviously, I'm a magazine hound. (Four post office boxes.)

[WorldB3]

that stinks, sure they had to put in some smooth and vocal jazz in there to sell some mags but they also covered a lot other stuff, I especially enjoyed their cd reviews. Where else could one find reviews of recent releases from Alex Cline, Brad Shepik, the October Trio etc in a mianstream mag?

[Jazz Vinyl]

I agree, if true, this is sad news. It's sad to see any jazz motivated venture fail. It becomes one less, non-internet based, place to go for jazz info. I'll miss the At-Home feature. I received my latest subscription renewal mailing from them 2 weeks ago. I guess you grab money as long as possible.

Man, here one day....then poof. And to go out with John Zorn on the cover, dang.

[Bright Moments]

they don't answer their phones!

Available 9am-5pm Eastern Time

JazzTimes, Inc.

8737 Colesville Rd., Ninth Floor

Silver Spring, MD 20910-3921, USA

telephone: 301-588-4114

fax: 301-588-5531

[Jim Alfredson]

http://jazztimes.com/articles/24917-an-imp...imes-management

[BeBop]

Thanks for the link, Jim

[Johnny E]

Doesn't sound good for JazzTimes.

Doesn't sound good for Jazz...or what people call jazz or think of as jazz.

The average person doesn't even know what jazz is. So is it any surprise that jazz magazines of closing up shop?

Thing is, I can't tell if this is homocide or suicide or both?

[Jim Alfredson]

From Lee Mergner's status on FB:

Excited about return of JazzTimes from its brief hiatus. On July 10, the JazzTimes brand was bought by Madavor Media, a publishing group based in Boston. The synergy has been great, as they deal with enthusiast and sports titles. I am staying on as editor-in-chief, working along with managing editor Evan Haga from my home office in Silver Spring. Thanks for the warm wishes.

[Dan Gould]

This was written up in yesterday's Times. They are supposed to get caught up with unpaid contributors and I think it said that they plan to publish an August issue. The company that bought the brand specializes in collectibles and sports publications.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/arts/mus...imes&st=cse

[fasstrack]

Read newsletters instead. The big magazines became whores long ago, I guess b/c they felt they have to to survive. But they anticipate trends and try to be right and overwrite about stars while ignoring countless talents as or more deserving. The self-preservation instinct has superceded the good they once did regularly long long ago. DownBeat embarrassed itself years ago and IMO never recovered. Jazz Times never knocked me out with the insightfulness of their coverage. A popularity mag, nothing more.

Read newsletters. And support them. They are done low-cost and from the heart, report on local or underexposed talent, and deserve your money more.

[BeBop]

Read newsletters instead.

Care to recommend some?

[BeBop]

The big magazines became whores long ago, I guess b/c they felt they have to to survive.

(Don't take the following seriously)

Prostitution has proven to be a long-term, viable business model in many cases.

[fasstrack]

Read newsletters instead.

Care to recommend some?

There's one in NY called I think Art Attack that's very good and is online. Chicago Jazz institute----not sure if they have one but their website is world-class. Cobi Narita has one, FWIW. There has to be tens if not hundreds all over the country. Lazaro?

There's all kind of people in local scenes all over the country who, if they don't have newsletters, they're doing something----usually under the radar---to present or promote good music and musicians. And they do it with a hell of a lot more class than Jazz Times or DB IMO.