FOUNDERS

The Asian Jazz Festival Organization (AJFO) is intended to function as a regional organization consisting of members from countries that regularly hold Music Festivals that lean towards the musical genre of "JAZZ" (a phrase attributed to Benson Puah of the Singapore Esplanade). Its founders and members were officially announced at the association's first annual gathering took place in Bali from July 22nd - 24th 2005.

THE PLAN AND THE INTENTION

The AJFO aims to properly accommodate the needs of those who love Music in general and Jazz in particular by becoming THE definitive primary communication forum between Managers, Agents, Record Labels, Artists, Sponsors and Festival / Music organizers. These needs can only be fulfilled if an economical, affordable and efficient production plan can be put in place and agreed by the majority. The buying power of each individual Country / Festival in the Asian region varies from country to country but through this collaboration a common understanding among all those involved can be achieved. Our immediate aim now is to convince Artists, Managers, Agents, Organizers and Sponsors that a predetermined touring schedule will be to the mutual benefit of all those concerned.

Japan, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, and Australia, for example, are in a different economic league than some other countries in this fast developing economic region. A cost sharing scheme is thus of paramount importance to promote the Artists and ensure that everyone will gain from its implementation.

It is important that everyone involved in this "INDUSTRY", if we may term it as such, can at least reach a break even point when holding a music event, give sponsors the exposure they expect, the artist the fees needed to promote their creativity and production, the managers the income they need to enable them to provide management services to an artist and the agents the commissions due for representing the artist. Although all income - cost considerations are relative we understand that our common goal lies in the strength that: "WE ALL LOVE MUSIC".

THE IDEA

The idea for the Asian Jazz Festival Organization (AJFO) began with a mere dream , a dream that somehow the cause of peace across the world could be advanced through major music events that will also boost the image of the Asian people and the capital cities of this fast expanding economic region. It has often been shown that through Music the people of the East and West can come together in peace and harmony , without regard for any of the economic and political interests that so often fire up much interest, and debate in the media.

Intellectual property theft, like all theft, represents an attack not just on the victim but also on civilization itself and will certainly diminish the cultural richness and creativity of our societies. However, arts and music will educate and enhance the level of civilization of the peoples of each respective country and encourage greater respect for intellectual property that belongs to those who are gifted and blessed enough to entertain us.

We support love, peace, creativity and respect for life. In pursuit of this we have reached agreement among certain individuals, organizations and countries to set up a pioneering organization to create common ground among the organizers of international class festivals held by the regional Jazz / Music communities in Asia. By joining forces and interacting with these regional communities we strengthen our joint ability to enhance respect for Jazz / Music as a viable art form and help to increase its popularity and visibility around the region. The idea was also spurred by noting how the Europeans, through the International Jazz Festival Organization (IJFO) were able to organize themselves and made Music and Arts a common daily need for many. We hope very much that such organizations as the IJFO will, in one way or another, eventually be able to help, assist, teach and cooperate with us here in Asia.

THE AJFO PHILOSOPHY

We will strive to ensure the continued growth and development of Jazz / Music throughout the region, and to foster an understanding and appreciation of its power in spreading the message of peace. Major changes in the world in recent years have brought new challenges and concerns to all of us. Yet through music, and the arts, we can work to achieve a common goal and overcome all that divides us and prevents us from acting together regardless of sex, race, religion or ideology. The arts - architecture, sculpture, painting, music, and literature - portray the state of civilization of a nation and we in Asia have a proud heritage of the arts and civilizations.

After all, history has shown that Music and Jazz in particular creates a positive effect that unites people and transforms the barriers of different cultures and beliefs. We are proud to borrow the national motto of one country, "Unity in Diversity" to best describe our vision. Through this organization, and our series of festivals and music events, we aim to develop and communicate the identity of all our member countries and build a common sense of purpose and national pride. We can then invite the global village of the 21st century to observe that such international unity, in a framework of diversity, can be achieved through the medium of "Music that leans towards JAZZ".

Music, of course, belongs neither to the West, to Americans or Europeans, nor to the East: it belongs to mankind and therefore needs to be shared to spread the message of peace.