Local band raises money for China trip
The Madison Jazz band wants to raise $150,000 to fund trip to China.
Madison Jazz, the local band that was chosen to perform in China as official ambassadors for the U.S., has raised only a couple thousand dollars of their $150,000 target.
Johnny Nash, the band’s creator and Discovery Middle School band director, said the Chinese government will pay all expenses once the group lands in China, but they just need the funds to get there.
“We have to get everyone there, plus all the equipment,” he said. “The kids have been practicing several times a week and we want it to pay off. Hopefully, we can get sponsors that would pay us to play for parties and events.”
Along with his students, he is taking four staff members and six chaperones.
Barbara Nash, the band’s pr spokesperson, said they are applying for grants and performing around town to help raise money.
“We are pursuing grant funding opportunities and talking with corporations and smaller companies about sponsorships,” she said. “They would get the dual benefit of not only sponsoring one of their own, but they’d get advertising in China.”
She said it would have to be with the help of the community to help the band reach its goal.
“We are excited that our community has the opportunity to be showcased in such a positive program,” she said. “The community has the opportunity to help us and show the world what talented and exceptional people we have here.”
As part of the cultural exchange, China will send musicians to America.
The U.S.-China Cultural and Educational Foundation selected the band last May.
“We didn’t really believe it,” Nash said, “We had to check and verify what it really was. Once we realized the enormity of it, we were overjoyed and overwhelmed with the enormous amount of responsibility we would have.”
On top of performances for schools and organizations, the Madison Jazz will perform 14 two-hour formal sets for crowds ranging from 200 to 30,000 concertgoers.
Johnny Nash said the band has adapted to fit into more musical parameters. The 26-member band will perform an array of music from Huey Lewis to big band to Michael Jackson. Some band members pull double duty as singers and dancers.
“It’s really a unique experience to be involved in,” he said. “We will be doing some sight-seeing, but mostly working everyday on the road.”
Nash formed the band back in 2002. Students who were in the original line-up are now college aged, but four original members are coming back to perform, along with one current Discovery Middle student. Nash said everyone in the group is DMS alumni.
“It is the chance of a lifetime for these students to go out on the road and do what they love doing and at the same time representing our country and state,” Nash said. “We’re going to experience a country we really don’t know anything about and we’re going to help them learn who we are and what we are about.”
To schedule an event or make a donation, call Johnny Nash at 256-656-2516.
