The David McLean Marriott, Sr. Jazz Fellowship is being established in July 2018 by Centrum’s Board of Directors to honor the legacy of one of their longtime, cherished members. Reflecting David’s passion for jazz, creativity and leadership, the Fellowship will support an ensemble of musicians in a residency at Centrum of up to one month.

“David was an avid lover of jazz and a staunch supporter of Centrum and the Board is pleased to establish this fellowship in his honor. David was the quintessential gentleman to all and all of us at Centrum dearly miss him” said Jeanie Cardon, Centrum Board President.

“The residency component sets this opportunity apart from most other awards in jazz,” said Executive Director Robert Birman. “Our thought is to offer something transformational for today’s working artists, primarily in the field of jazz. In our fast-paced world, contemplative space and time have become a luxury for most, and the idea that an entire ensemble could plan time to compose new works or to prepare for a recording is, we hope, something special. This opportunity stands apart from our jazz workshop in many regards; it is not prescribed in time and is designed to be adaptable for the artists whom are selected.”

The David McLean Marriott, Sr. Jazz Fellowship will be managed as part of Centrum’s year-round artist-in-residence program at Fort Worden State Park. Applications procedures for this new Fellowship will be announced this fall. The program is to be fashioned in the style of Centrum’s Emerging Artist Residency program, for visual artists, which allows for nominations, online applications, a juried selection process, and subsequent awards. The presumption for the Marriott Fellowship is that one ensemble, per year, will be granted a residency at Centrum for one week to one month.

The Centrum Board is leading the seed funding for this special Fellowship. Community support is invited in order to sustain this offering for successive years. “Depending on the scale of support for this initiative, the Fellowship may be a year-by-year opportunity, or become a permanently-endowed program at Centrum,” said Birman. The Board will present this opportunity to the public at the upcoming Jazz Port Townsend performances July 27 and 28.

There are Four Easy Ways to Donate to the David McLean Marriott, Sr. Jazz Fellowship

• Text PTDAVID to 41444 from your mobile device
• Give online and check “Marriott Fellowship” on the donation dropdown menu
• Complete and return a printed Centrum donation form by mail (P.O. Box 1158, Port Townsend, WA 98368) or at Centrum’s welcome booth or office
• Call Centrum at (360) 385-3102, ext.132

Thank you for your generosity!