Ghana Jazz Foundation Launched In Accra

The Ghana Jazz Foundation (GJF) has been launched in Accra at the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill on January 6, 2024, as part of activities at the maiden edition of the Jazz In January Festival.

The Ghana Jazz Foundation (GJF) is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote live Jazz music and other local art forms through collaborations, educational programmes and support for musicians and live music venues.

According to the Foundation’s President, Dr Adrian Oddoye, it was formed in 2023 and is a collaboration between lovers of Jazz and musicians to offer a fresh approach to how resources could be brought together to enhance the live music scene in Accra and across Ghana.

“Jazz is about welfare and mentorship, it’s about how to conduct yourself going forward…Talks about Jazz you go beyond your genre. The foundation is not going to rush to do anything dramatic but it’s about building steps… it’s all about how to identify who needs help” Dr Addoye said.

He emphasised that the GJF is committed to using innovative and strategic methods to connect local talents to the African Diaspora and global sister institutions.

In addition, it would work not only for the improvement of performances by local musicians but also for their welfare, insurance and creativity.

Performers at the festival which was from January 4 to January 7 included GHJazz Collective and Jeff Kashiwa from America.