Houston’s Jazz scene just got a whole lot more exciting with Live Music Movement Foundation’s debut musical event. LMMF partnered with Leslie Drayton and Few Regrets in mid-November at ALJ Jazz Bar and Lounge, Downtown Houston’s newest jazz venue. The event was an unofficial celebration and reassertion of LMMF’s mission to “present, promote and preserve jazz, blues and soul music through performances, education and the commission of new works.”
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​LMMF’s founder and Chairperson Kathy Drayton shared some insight into the organization’s plans in Houston for the New Year and beyond.

​​Live Music Movement Foundation Moves to Texas
It is with great pride and excitement that we inform our followers and supporters that the Live Music Movement Foundation (LMMF) has officially moved to Houston, Texas! This is quite an exciting time for the organization and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share the details of the innovative and progressive direction Live Music Movement Foundation is taking upon our big move.

Gosey left such a wonderful musical impact on Drayton and the city of Houston, that the idea of relocating LMMF to the city where I.J.’s musical performances were loved and appreciated seemed like a great location for the foundation to thrive in while educating music lovers from all walks of life about the history and impact of jazz, blues and soul music through events and social mixers. In fact, I.J.’s long-standing gigs at two Houston music establishments formed the inspiration for the LMMF objective of audiences socializing around live music.

​Live Music Movement Foundation, a double entendre, for moving live music forward by broadening an appreciation of the music and our audience moving to music (dancing) has the mission to promote, present and preserve jazz, blues and soul music through performances, education and the commission of new works.

​To acheived LMMF’s mission, the organization will hold live musical events and not concerts, as a way to socialize around the music and dance will always be encouraged! The efforts of our events are to mix all ages and cultures together who have one common love: music.

We will provide opportunities for seasoned professional musicians to perform in an atmosphere that reflects a respect and appreciation of the music. LMMF is also excited and eager to work with young musicians of today to provide opportunities for them to develop as the leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

The educational aspect of our commitment to keeping the powerful American cultural force alive is our Musical Experience Salon. At these events, listeners will receive information about the history, traditions, and styles of music and the process of making the various music styles that we enjoy. Salons will also serve as a great opportunity for guests to mingle with fellow music lovers.
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Our foundation is eager to acquire a dedicated audience to attend our events and bring a friend or two every time they attend. We hope you’re just as ecstatic as we are for our new direction in our new home and look forward to seeing you at our events.

​Live Music Movement Foundation (LMMF) in conjunction with Grant AME Church and One Love Center will host a series of Music and Jam Sessions on Sunday afternoons beginning September 11, 2016.
The sessions provide a vehicle to present quality music where musicians play (i.e. “jam”) by improvising without extensive preparation or predefined arrangements, except for jazz standards or covers of existing songs.