Pension demands for New York Jazz Musicians

New York City jazz musicians are campaigning to have New York jazz clubs contribute to a pension fund. They are part of the Justice for Jazz Artists movement who push for more care and benefits for musicians citing New York’s Birdland, Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the Iridium, the Jazz Standard and the Village Vanguard who refuse to pay into a fund that would enable jazz artists a dignified retirement. 

“Jazz musicians need pensions – they need to enjoy the same benefits received by their brother and sister musicians on Broadway and in the symphonic field,” said jazz musician Jimmy Owens who played his trumpet in the council chamber to drive home the message. “The need is real.”

Clubs insist musicians are independent contractors.