The Philadelphia Jazz Composers Forum is a group of musicians and composers who have organized themselves for the purpose of uniting to rehearse, discuss, critique, analyze, and perform their musical compositions in a conducive environment. The emphasis will be on new music, works in progress and completed works.

The goals of the Jazz Composers Forum are to:

• Provide Composers an opportunity and outlet for their music and creativity.
• Stimulate new musical ideas.
• Network and be a resource outlet.
• Career enhancement center.
• Present periodic concert performances of members works and of worldwide composers.
• Serve the community providing master classes and performance/workshops in schools, community centers, etc.
• Assist artists with their projects [ie.] recordings, videos, manufacturing and distribution.

The Philadelphia Jazz Composers Forum is a new organization whose mission is to provide financial and professional resources for musicians wishing to create original jazz music for their own as well as the public's artistic sustenance and education.

The Forum was organized in 1994 by Barry Schuck and Khan Jamal, two jazz artists well known to the jazz community in Philadelphia and abroad. They recognized that in order for local artists to be productive in their medium they required an advocacy group whose role would be to back regular funding, advertise Forum events, develop educational outreach, establish good relations with the community and secure rehearsal space.

To date, the PJCF ensemble consists of approximately 15 musicians. The group meets weekly to rehearse and discuss organizational business. Of critical interest to the Forum is audience development in neighborhoods where resources and initiative are often scarce. Potential role models are struggling to survive and government funds are directed at more publicized projects. Forum members strive to perpetuate the jazz legacy by capturing the attention of the next generation and holding it thru dynamic, local performances and educational workshops. PJCF advocates the teaching of musicianship as vital to the growth and spiritual sustenance of communities everywhere.

The Philadelphia Jazz Composers Forum members are (as of 3/98):

Khan Jamal	Tyrone Hill	Ed Crockett	Elliot Levin
Fred Adams	Barry Schuck	Edgar Bateman	Jesse Andrews
Terry Lawson	Umar Hakim	Sheldon Kivel	David Middleton
	Omar Hill	Adam Jinkins