JOIN the JJA - Become a Professional Journalist or Student member

Professional Members
Writers, photographers, film makers, videographers, radio and web producers and others who cover jazz in a professional or semi-professional capacity are eligible to become professional JJA members.

Professional Members nominate and vote in the annual JJA Jazz Awards and in internal JJA elections and receive all other member benefits - First time, one-year members will be able to vote in 2026!

If your primary professional work is not jazz journalism or media production but you work in an allied field or wish to support the JJA's efforts please consider becoming an JJA Industry Associate or Supporter  instead.

There are many benefits to Professional JJA Membership
 including

• A listing in JJA Member Directories
• Promotion of your activities in monthly members updates.
• Free or discounted admission to JJA events and educational programs, including webinars, workshops, conferences and consultations on new techniques, strategies and opportunities as journalism and the music industry are transformed by digital technologies and social media.
• Inclusion in JJA platforms and outlets, including JJANews.org, JJAJazzAwards.org, the JJA's Facebook members' only discussions and public page, X and Instagram accounts. 
• Networking opportunities with colleagues and industry associates around the world 
• Participation in JJA-sponsored public events aimed at expanding and educating the jazz audience

Student Members

Full-time students (and certain others) with a clear interest in learning to be professional jazz journalists can apply to become Student Members. Applications for and renewals of student membership must be approved before they take effect. We may "interview" you via email after you apply to learn more about your interests and to determine whether you are eligible for student membership.  We do this because JJA student membership is intended to serve as an "apprenticeship" in jazz journalism, it is not simply a discount  dues category.  

• In general (there can be exceptions, see below) the student category is reserved mostly for younger members who are full-time students: high school, college and some graduate students. Applicants must also demonstrate an interest in learning about jazz journalism.
• If you are not a full-time student, but are a full-time media intern or are otherwise making significant efforts to learn jazz journalism outside an academic setting, you may be eligible for student membership. Please apply and tell us about what you are doing and why you want to have an"apprenticeship" in jazz journalism. 
• Those who have returned to school after having worked as jazz journalists or in allied fields are generally NOT eligible for student membership and are encouraged to apply for full professional membership or industry associate membership instead.
• If you are unsure where you fit, please write admin@jazzjournalists.org and ask.
  

If your student membership application is not approved and you paid dues at the time of your application, your payment will be refunded.

JJA Student Member Benefits:
Student members do not make nominations or vote, but are eligible for other benefits of membership, including free or discounted admission to JJA events and educational programs, as well as mentoring by veteran JJA members.
 
IF YOU ARE A CURRENT OR LAPSED JJA MEMBER DO *NOT* USE THIS FORM TO RENEW.  YOU MUST LOGIN TO YOUR PROFILE AND RENEW THERE.

To join now, choose the appropriate level below and click "next".  IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE A DISCOUNT CODE, YOU WILL BE ASKED FOR IT DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.