Created to bring light in a time of darkness, JAMBAR partner Music in Place continues to spread joy through live music and gainful employment for musicians. Back in March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic had effectively shut down public life, a group of music/video techies, legal, finance, and business professionals came together with the idea of enabling collective creativity among out-of-work professional musicians. Music in Place was born, with the goal of providing opportunities for musicians to creatively work together, and importantly, to get paid.
During its first year, Music in Place produced around 70 original music video productions, mostly created remotely and asynchronously. The organization provided training, equipment, and tech production. At a time when live music had all but disappeared, Music in Place also produced 15 livestream performances, giving viewers the chance to watch musicians play in real time. These performances ranged from a latin jazz trio to an 18-pc orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings to a dance/music production of Piazzolla's Libertango. For all of these projects, each musician and tech professional was paid.
In early 2022, the Bay-area based organization was at a crossroads. With the pandemic waning, Music in Place needed to decide if it was time to shut down operations or expand its mission to more fully focus on bringing live music to Bay area communities such as community centers, parks, local venues and gathering places, and to roll out educational programs for students. Enter JAMBAR, via an introduction from Jazz in the Neighborhood, another music-focused non-profit supported by the energy bar company.
“As soon as I heard about Music in Place, I knew it was a great match for JAMBAR and our giveback program,” said Jenny Maxwell, JAMBAR founder and drummer. “Music was, and continues to be, a transformative force in my life. When I created JAMBAR, central to our mission was to donate 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that make a difference in their communities through music and active living. Music in Place puts on incredible concerts and performances, and also prioritizes music education. I’m a big fan of what they do.”
With the support of JAMBAR and other sponsors and donors, last year Music in Place: presented 20 educational programs for kids and adults; offered 42 free concerts in Sonoma and Petaluma; produced two large, ticketed concerts; provided meaningful gigs for 300 musicians and teachers; and reached a total audience of around 10,000 people.
JAMBAR is a sponsor of Music in Place’s Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza, a hugely popular free summer music series that runs through September 28. Another big event that JAMBAR helped fuel was Music in Place’s Battle of the Bands which took place in Sonoma’s Grinstead Amphitheater on Saturday, May 17. This concert showcased 11 incredible youth bands from across Northern California. From jazz and rock to alternative and soul, these talented young musicians lit up the Plaza with passion, skill, and serious stage presence. Learn more about these and other events on Music in Place’s website and Instagram.
“From the outset, our mission to support working musicians resonated with Jenny and Tanya,” said Rod Marymor, co-founder of Music in Place. “JAMBAR’s early and continuing support helps us present a wide variety of free and accessible concerts and music education.”