Meet the Taos Jazz Bebop Society
Executive Directors
Our mission is to make Taos an exciting jazz destination worthy of the best jazz artists. To attract a vibrant jazz audience. And to inspire young listeners to discover the joys of improvised music.
We've been busy making this dream come true since 2014– with a year-round calendar of performances by world-class jazz artists (check our Highlights), as a presenting partner organization with the New Mexico Jazz Festival, with our Sunday New Mexico Jazz Artists Series, and with the annual and hugely successful Frank Morgan Taos Jazz Festival.
In addition, our Schoolhouse Jazz program continues to grow– providing exciting opportunities for students to experience the thrill of improvisation with the help of great jazz performers.
Taos Jazz Bebop Society is a 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation.
We rely on jazz lovers like you to attend our concerts. And to support us through our Membership Program–or with your generous donations and sponsorships.
We hope you will share in the joys of supporting live JAZZ with your ears, your hearts, your applause, and your dollars!
Judy Katzman
President, Director of Design & Communications
Judy comes from a musical family– from classical to jazz and contemporary rock. Retired from a career in graphic design and promotion, she couldn't resist combining her two passions into this current rewarding pursuit. She also hosts "Jazz With Judy" on KNCE, True Taos Radio.
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Eric Gladstone
Director of Events, Treasurer
Eric is co-founder of the Taos Jazz Bebop Society. A "jazz lifer" and Taoseño from way back, Eric knows everybody. His passion for jazz musicians and their music is equally matched by his work ethic– which is why his phone is permanently attached to the side of his head.
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Dan Daily
Vice President
Dan offers his guidance and assistance in numerous ways– most notably the essential task of grant-writing. A multi-instrumentalist with a degree in Jazz Studies, he has performed with Frank Morgan, Doug Lawrence, David Amram, The Jazz Members Big Band, John Campbell, Joel Spencer, Erskine Hawkins and many others.
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Bonny Thomas
Secretary
Bonny came to Taos from Sonoma, CA, where she was a designer, fine artist, jazz radio DJ and helper in all-things-jazz to the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society. Her enthusiasm and willingness to "dive in" to program details is invaluable.
Advisory Board
Pete Amahl
One of New Mexico's finest drummers, Pete was a founding member of The New Mexico Jazz Workshop, a program combining education and performance. He was inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame in 2020. Today Pete curates and performs in our New Mexico Jazz Artists series of Sunday afternoon concerts.
Doug Lawrence
World-renowned tenor man and passion-driven jazz dreamer, Doug has performed and recorded with a truly vast array of music legends… from Ella and Sarah to Jimmy Cobb, George Cables and Billie Eilish. For the past 25 years he has traveled the world as lead tenor player in the famed Count Basie Orchestra. Doug has advised, cajoled and performed in many of our most exciting shows.
Omar Rane
Guitarist, sound engineer and far-thinking "imaginator", Omar has his ear to the ground for all music performance possibilities, and the know-how to make them happen.
Amalio Madueño
Poet and president of Luminous Animals Poetry & Jazz Ensemble, Amalio has performed with artist/poet Bill Gersh and many of New Mexico's jazz greats, including Pete Amahl and Doug Lawrence. Amalio has fundraised for TJBS programming since he joined the board in 2015.
Steve Rose
Actor, playwright and retired chimney sweep, Steve has lived in Taos for 55 years. Needless to say, he also loves jazz, and especially shmoozing with fellow jazz fans.
JAZZ HAPPENS HERE… in the unique northern New Mexico town of Taos.
We are the Taos Jazz Bebop Society…
dedicated to the proposition that JAZZ deserves to be heard here, supported here. IMPORTED here.