The History Of

The
Musicians
Emergency
Assistance
Fund

by Mary Ellen Farney
Past President
KC Jazz Ambassadors

Editor's note: From time to time -- most recently last issue -- there is mention in JAM of "MEAF," the Jazz Ambassadors' "Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund." Just so our readers will know what this fund is about, we asked past KCJA president Mary Ellen Farney to provide some background.

In 1991, KCJA president Todd Wilkinson first mentioned his wish that the Jazz Ambassadors start an assistance fund for older jazz musicians who had paid their dues, traveled the world, and returned to Kansas City in their later years, sometimes without much money in their pockets. At the core of Todd's vision was how the Ambassadors might offer a helping hand to help pay for such things as housing and medical expenses for these jazz veterans.

As we all know, most jazz musicians don't have a golden parachute or safety net at the end of their careers. Nor do many have health insurance or other benefits due to the fact that they tend to have many different employers. Here in Kansas City, jazz musicians have been known to donate their time and talent over and over to raise money for different charities, yet, as Todd pointed out, there was no place for the musicians to go when they needed emergency assistance.

It's also important to remember that back in '91 there were fewer than 100 members in the KCJA (as opposed to over 500 today), and there was almost no money in the treasury. Consequently, we couldn't imagine (as much as we wanted to) establishing such a fund at that time. But, in early 1992, The Kansas City Star's Art Brisbane published a column about Bernard "Step-Buddy" Anderson, a Kansas City jazz legend who once shared the stage with the likes of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Jay McShann. It was this column that became the catalyst for action.

Step-Buddy Anderson (Courtesy Miller Nichols Library, University of Missouri - Kansas City Department of Special Collections)

Step-Buddy had been a jazz trumpet star in the early bebop years, and, while appearing with Billy Eckstine in St. Louis in the mid-1940s, he became ill with tuberculosis. (An 18-year-old Miles Davis was on hand to take his place.) Step-Buddy eventually recovered and continued his career in music, but not on the same scale as before.

By 1992, Step-Buddy, then in his 70s, was frequently seen playing his trumpet on street corners in Westport. The handouts he received helped to pay his rent. He became an especially popular figure with the young people who would crowd around him to listen to his jazz solos and amazing stories.

Although this kind of thing could have been beneath someone who had once enjoyed national stature, Step-Buddy once told me that he really enjoyed entertaining those young people. He stayed active until his death several years ago by writing plays and poetry, and by visiting the Mutual Musicians Foundation to jam.

It was also in 1992, when I was president of the KCJA, that Jack DiBenedetto gave me a call. Jack, who was the owner of a Westport club called Obsessions, had seen the column in The Star and wondered if there was anything that could be done to help Step-Buddy. So, we began a series of small fundraisers to establish MEAF, beginning with the opener at Obsessions on February 15, 1992 -- in honor of Step-Buddy Anderson. At that inaugural event many musicians offered their services free of charge and we raised about $700. It was a small start, but nevertheless, a start.

The next fundraiser was held in April of 1992 to honor L.C. "Speedy" Huggins. And, in July of that year, Kevin Mahogany held his own birthday party at the Club at Plaza III (then the City Light Jazz Club), invited musicians to come and jam with him, and donated the proceeds to MEAF.

Today, many MEAF events and fundraisers later -- and with help from clubs like Jardine's, the Phoenix, the Grand Emporium and the Club at Plaza III, as well as contributions from musicians like Everette DeVan, Pat Morrissey, Diane "Mama" Ray and Sam Johnson, Jr. (to name but a few) -- we are proud that we have been able to respond to the emergency needs of so many musicians.

Through MEAF, the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors have assisted with housing, utility bills and medical needs, often in cooperation with the Housing Information Center that has matched our contributions. There have even been instances where we have repaired or replaced musical instruments. And, sadly, we have also provided assistance for funeral and burial expenses.

Now, more than eight years after that first MEAF benefit for Step-Buddy Anderson, over $20,000 has gone toward helping musicians in need.

This is a vitally important part of what the KCJA does!

And it must continue.

Through the KCJA's ongoing events, we hope MEAF will always be there when our musicians need it most. Should you like to donate to this worthy cause, please send your check or money order to:

KCJA/MEAF
P.O. 36181
Kansas City, MO 64171



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