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Attention Musicians & Industry Professionals: * JOIN JAMS TODAY! * Don't Play Yourself! Protect yourself! No more music business drama!  Get Paid!  Stand Up for your Rights. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. JOIN JAMS TODAY! * Watch for our new Group Insurance Policy coming soon!

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Welcome to

   JAPAN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC SOCIETY

 A Non-Profit Musicians Union Administered by Totown Communications Co., Ltd.  

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS

 

View video below for JAMS Membership Drive presentation by Founder and Chairman, Malcolm W. Adams, delivered before the Black Musicians Forum of Japan in Tokyo 2007.

 

The Japan African-American Music Society is a democratic membership organization of professional musicians living and working in Japan. Our goal is to improve the economic status, social position and general welfare of our members. 

About JAMS

What does JAMS do?

The Musicians Union represents and protects its members in every field of professional musical activity. JAMS negotiates both international and local contracts and enforces employer observance of wage scales and working conditions, fringe benefits and overtime work. The union negotiates minimum wage scales for  engagements and deals with most matters within our geographical area. We also bargain collectively for all members employed in network radio and TV, videotape, educational TV, music videos, theatrical motion pictures, TV films, commercials, phonograph records, cable and pay TV, documentary films and traveling musical productions. Membership is open to all musicians and vocalists who work part-time or full-time in categories of music making in Japan and  Asia.

Membership Benefits & Services

Membership with the Musicians Union has many terrific benefits, but our members also have the responsibility to contribute to the continued success of the union. This includes paying dues and most importantly, participation!

This is your union.
Without your active participation we cannot be effective.

Without your active participation in the decision making process, we cannot effectively serve you. If you decide to join, we urge you to take advantage of our member service programs, attend our meetings and social events, vote for officers (or become one), communicate your ideas and help make the union a better organization for all musicians. Please keep in mind that the Musicians Union is NOT A HIRING HALL OR BOOKING AGENCY and we cannot guarantee you work as a musician.

How much is it to join?

The cost to join is 20,000 yen. This includes a 15,000 yen initiation fee and a 5,000 yen fee for the current quarter's dues. Thereafter, dues are 5,000 yen per quarter or 20,000 yen per year.

 

How do I join?

1. The fastest way to join is by visiting our website and applying for an application to be mailed to you. Apply by writing to us at : jams@totown.net .

2. Get an official JAMS "Application for Membership" and fill it out completely. Don't forget to sign it. You will also receive a benefit designation ID number and members card. Fill out and sign that also.

3. Mail the completed application (and benefit designation card) with a copy of your bank transfer receipt to confirm your payment. Please note that initiation fees and membership dues are non-refundable.

4. When your application and membership dues are received your membership will begin and your membership card will be mailed to you. If you cannot afford to pay it all at once, please inquire about our installment payment plan. If you are under the age of 21 you may qualify to have the initiation fees waived. The cost of membership may prove to be the most important investment you make in your career as a professional musician.

Benefits

MEMBER BENEFITS AND SERVICES

JAMS MUSICIANS REFERRAL SERVICE:

Through advertising on the internet and on this website and other publications, our referral service matches purchasers and musicians throughout Japan without booking fees to put more money in the musicians' pockets. We will, however, require all agents to join JAMS as a qualified participating agency in order to receive artists directory lists and profiles for hiring purposes. As such they must agree to pay our published union minimum scale fees for all jobs.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY:

A directory of all members, including their addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and instruments played is published regularly. This allows members to keep in touch easily when jobs are available.

PROMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Members can make an appointment to meet with a staff representative to get helpful career advice, assistance in putting together promotional materials, and access to a wealth of contact information to help you find work in the music industry. Members in good standing will be entitled to a members discount on production costs for all videos, DVDs, CDs and other promotional packages that the union administrator offers.

MONTHLY PUBLICATIONS:

All members receive our publication: the JAMS TIMES. This keeps you abreast of union business, job openings and auditions, and events and articles of interest to musicians. It also provides classified ads.

NEGOTIATED AGREEMENTS:

JAMS negotiates agreements with employers all over the nation. We also negotiate agreements for all electronic media employment which include reuse and new use payments and pension and health & welfare benefits.

PRE-PRINTED, LEGAL CONTRACTS:

Contracts suitable for all types of engagements are available for members in good standing free of charge. These easy to use contracts contain appropriate language for the resolution of disputes and provide protection for both musicians and purchaser. When properly signed and filed they will be enforced by the union and its legal representatives.

 

Future Proposed Benefits Include:

PENSION PLAN:

Employer paid contributions to the American Federation of Musicians - Employer Pension Fund will be a part of most JAMS contracts. Vesting requires contributions on 150,000 yen of earned wages in each of 5 consecutive years.

TELEVISION / VIDEO PROJECT:

Selected member groups are videotaped for presentation on community access TV channels and to provide them with a video demo tape. If you are interested in video production, you can become a member of our volunteer crew. Call the administration office for details.

WAGE SCALES:

Members participate in the establishment of minimum wage scales and working conditions for all types of musical employment. Union contracts require compliance with these scales and insure that musicians are not exploited.

 

JAMS WEB SITE:

Members are able to subscribe here:  jams@totown.net  for a password to access our downloadable contracts and scales, articles from the JAMS TIMES and many other useful, musician-friendly resources. (currently under construction)

LIABILITY PROTECTION:

Liability protection is available to members through the proposed JAMS Liability Insurance Plan at reasonable rates. It will cover numerous liability situations, including suits arising out of bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and fire damage. (currently being negotiated)

TRAVELING MUSICIAN ASSISTANCE:

The union will offer assistance to traveling members through our toll free number. If you are stiffed by a club owner on the road, help is only a phone call away.

DENTAL INSURANCE:

Members may purchase one of several dental insurance plans which offer free basic services and reduced costs on other procedures. (currently being negotiated)

FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION:

JAMS will have an attorney or a qualified legal affairs representative on retainer to provide legal advice and service to members in regard to their work as musicians. One free consultation for a non-union matter is also available to each member.

CREDIT UNION:

Members may join our Credit Union which provides a variety of banking services and offers loans at very competitive rates. (currently being negotiated)

 

DUES INFORMATION

Your initial payment of 20,000 Yen to join the union includes your admission fees and
dues/assessments for the current quarter in which you joined.

Membership dues are 5,000 Yen paid on a quarterly basis. Payments are due on the first of each quarter, but
can be at any time during that quarter without penalty. A late charge of  500 yen will be added to any
dues payments made after the end of a quarter.

DUES PAYMENT SCHEDULE

 

To make bank transfer payments contact the JAMS accounting office at: jams@totown.net for the JAMS bank account information.

It is your responsibility to keep your dues and assessments current.

WE DO NOT BILL YOU

If dues are unpaid at the end of a quarter you will be suspended from membership according
to JAMS bylaws. "A member having been suspended has all the obligations of membership
but none of the rights thereto, and is not in good standing".

If dues are unpaid for two quarters, you will be dropped from membership as required by
JAMS bylaws. Dropped members are required to pay all back dues and
reinstatement fees in order to re-join JAMS.

If you have any questions , please contact the JAMS office at: jams@totown.net  

 

JAMS MUSICIANS REFERRAL SERVICE:

Our referral service staff matches clients and musicians throughout Japan without booking fees.  

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