Gala Raised Record Funds of Over $900,000 – The Jazz Association (Singapore) (JASS) held its biggest gala on Saturday, 2 September 2023, at the Island Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel. With over 550 donors, sponsors and guests in attendance, the Gala raised more than $900,000, the highest amount JASS has raised in its seven-year history.
Photo Credits: Abdul Syafiq
“This year’s Gala is a Gala of Hope. Just like the rainbow, jazz remains a symbol of hope, unity, diversity and resilience. We live in a world fraught with tough economic and geo-political challenges. We wish that through jazz, we can bring hope and light to those around us,” said Mrs Susan Peh, Vice-Chairperson, and Chairperson, Gala Committee, JASS.
She continued, “We are immensely touched and grateful to have our donors and sponsors believe in our mission. They have, throughout the years, stood by us, supporting JASS as we put the blocks in place to build Singapore into a vibrant, global city of jazz.”
The Gala featured performance by two time Grammy nominee, Ms Roberta Gambarini. She was accompanied by the Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra (JASSO) led by Maestro Jeremy Monteiro, Executive Director and Music Director, Jazz Association Singapore (JASS).
The JASS Benefit Gala 2023 was graced by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law.
Another key highlight of the evening was the “Build Your Legacy Through Jazz” series. First launched during the JASS Benefit Gala 2022, this initiative aims to give donors an opportunity to leave their legacy through jazz to their loved ones.
The initiative also aims to galvanise a vibrant community with made-in-Singapore jazz music and nurture local jazz composers by giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents. Compositions which were composed for the donors who donated during the JASS Benefit Gala 2022, were debuted at this year’s Gala.
The JASS Benefit Gala 2023 has been an exceptional journey, bringing together the power of Jazz and philanthropy,” said Maestro Jeremy Monteiro, Executive Director and Music Director at JASS. “JASS has just turned 7. Our journey of building Singapore into a city of Jazz is embarking on a next lap of growth.
The funds raised will enable us to strengthen the building blocks we have put in place so we can continue to pursue excellence in jazz, reaching out to the community, nurturing young talents and supporting jazz musicians in need.”
About Jazz Association (Singapore)
Jazz Association (Singapore), also known as JASS, was founded in September 2016 to promote the participation, engagement and excellence of jazz in Singapore. In March 2017, we were accorded charity status in Singapore. Subsequently, JASS was approved as an Institution of a Public Character (IPC) from 23 November 2018 to 22 May 2024.
As Singapore’s first charity dedicated to developing jazz education, excellence and outreach in Singapore, and promoting Singapore jazz globally, we aim to expand the jazz arts community, advance education through scholarships, bring jazz to the wider communities and cultivate new audiences in Singapore through outreach activities in Singapore and globally. In July 2020, we added a new pillar to our work – that of supporting eligible local jazz musicians impacted by crisis with short-term financial aid.
For more information about the Jazz Association (Singapore) and its initiatives, please visit
https://www.jazzassociation.sg/.
