Daily Inspiration: Meet Sarah Goodroad and Alan Cogen of Pathways To Jazz

Pathways to Jazz originally began when Founder Alan Cogen decided he wanted to help jazz musicians in Colorado and he identified that helping artists to create professionally-produced recordings was how he was going to accomplish this. So Alan, along with Program Manager Sarah Goodroad, created a grant program in 2014 with the assistance of the Boulder County Arts Alliance.

Recorded musical work is a key component in documenting and preserving jazz music. Professional recording is also an important business tool for musicians to book gigs and tours and to connect with their fans. A high-quality recording also increases an artist’s ability to develop new audiences for this art form, which is part of the mission of Pathways To Jazz.

The grant was only available to Colorado jazz artists from 2014-2018. But, the program proved to be so successful that Alan and Sarah decided to expand the grant in 2019, and the application process is now open to anyone who qualifies in the United States.

This awarding year, 2024, is the 10th anniversary of Pathways To Jazz. Over the past nine years Pathways To Jazz has given 103 grants totaling more than $390K and 76 albums have been produced so far. The grant does not cover the full cost of making an album in most instances, but they have heard from so many artists over the years that the grant made the difference in terms of if and when they could make a recording.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The one question that Alan and Sarah have asked themselves every year is – is what we are doing, funding CDs and LPs still relevant? Video and digital streaming have risen in popularity over the last ten years. But, time and again, they would check in with their award winners and ask them – is this still valuable to you and why?

A few years back, though there was less certainty, the answer was still yes. This year, when talking to the winners, it was a resounding “Yes!” Some of the examples winners have given: they cannot get a marquee gig without a CD; club managers don’t want to watch video recordings of music; radio stations and jazz publications want CDs.

Another point that has been made is that the physical CD or LP becomes a way to connect with fans. Even those fans who don’t own a CD or record player will come up to the stage or merch table and purchase one because it is an opportunity to talk to the artist that they love and take home a piece of their music.

There are many varying situations of course, it is not always true that physical media is preferred, but Alan and Sarah felt very confident this year after talking to the winners that they are still on track and are making a difference; not to mention that LPs are making a comeback.

What makes you happy?
Coming home and finding a new release in the mailbox from one of our winners.