MISSION
The African American Jazz Caucus, Inc., is dedicated to protecting, preserving and perpetuating the rich cultural heritage and legacy of jazz, which is one of our indigenous musical art forms. Accentuating Its Roots from Mother Africa which has evolved and developed Global Fruits.

HISTORY
The Black Jazz Music Caucus (BJMC) of the National Association of Jazz Educators (NAJE) was founded in 1977 primarily by Larry Ridley and Anderson White at the NAJE Conference in Daytona Beach, Florida. The initial purpose in forming the Caucus was to increase the representation of African American Jazz artists and educators. The Black Jazz Music Caucus renamed itself the African American Jazz Caucus in 2000.

Donald Meade Legacy Jazz Griot Award
This award recognizes and celebrates those whose Unique Voices make the story of jazz music more complete.
Founded by the African American Jazz Caucus (AAJC), The Donald Meade Legacy Foundation has been founded upon the premise that the “story” is an essential part of Jazz education and that the storyteller or Griot creates a vital link between the music and life stories. Donald Meade’s first voice stories embrace the social, political and cultural realities that shaped and created jazz truths. He has inspired and encouraged numerous jazz artists, and he was a steadfast advocate for jazz education, particularly for young people. The AAJC foundation, presented in tandem with JEN, continues his legacy through recognizing other jazz griots with the Meade Legacy Jazz Griot, in addition to creating platforms in which their stories can heard around the world.

ABOUT DR. TRINEICE ROBINSON-MARTIN
Executive Director of the African American Jazz Caucus:
An Oakland CA native, Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin has dedicated her career to performing and developing resources for teaching jazz, gospel, and R&B singing styles. She completed her doctoral work at Teachers College Columbia University, where her research focused on vocal pedagogy for Contemporary Commercial Music (e.g., R&B, jazz, rock, music theater, etc.), applied pedagogy, and gospel music performance practices. Dr. Robinson-Martin holds master’s degrees in music education and jazz studies from Teachers College and Indiana University-Bloomington, respectively, and a B.A. in improvised music from San Jose State University.

Dr. Robinson-Martin is also a certified instructor in Somatic Voicework™ The Lovetri Method, a faculty member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., executive board member of the African American Jazz Caucus, Inc.., a founding and executive board member of the Donald Meade Legacy Jazz Griot Award, a member of the distinguished American Academy of Teachers of Singers, and a board member of the Jazz Education Network and Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey. Based on her graduate research, Dr. Robinson-Martin designed Soul Ingredients®, a teaching methodology for developing a singer’s musical style/interpretation in African-American folk-based music styles (i.e., jazz, gospel, R&B, blues, etc.). This methodology shows students how to take their personal experiences, musical influences and models, and execute the different components in a manner that is personal to the singer/performer’s own expression.

As an accomplished performer, teacher, and scholar, Dr. Robinson-Martin has traveled and taught students from all over the world and lectures nationally and internationally on a variety of Soul Ingredients® topics. Her performance experience spans a variety of musical styles, venues, and settings: the intimacy of private parties and local clubs, the grand stages of musical arts centers and large music festivals, and international stages. She has performed with concert choirs and chorales, large and small jazz ensembles, Latin music ensembles, corporate bands, a POP orchestra, and R&B groups, including tours with international R&B recording group CHANGE and Standing in the Shadows of Motown Live.

Dr. Robinson-Martin releases her first solo album titled All or Nothing in the Spring of 2020. Co-produced with jazz saxophonist Don Braden, the album features several internationally acclaimed musicians on the project, including Don Braden, Cyrus Chestnut, Kenny Davis, and Vince Ector. All or Nothing features a mix of traditional and contemporary jazz standards, jazz-infused R&B standards, and original songs. Dr. Robinson-Martin has authored and produced several published works, both peer-reviewed and self-published. Recognized for her contributions to the field of vocal pedagogy, her scholarly publications include Perspectives on Teaching Singing: A Celebration of Vocal Pedagogy in the 21st Century edited by Harrison and O’Bryan called “Take My Hand: Considerations for Teaching Gospel Singing,” and So You Want To Sing Gospel, produced as part of the So You Want to Sing book series sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.