Michael Bushnell
Northeast News

The American Jazz Museum Board of Directors has announced that Rashida Phillips will assume the role of permanent Executive Director. Phillips, an active performer and jazz vocalist will leave her current position as senior director of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL where she oversees the school’s community based education programs.

Phillips, a St. Louis, MO native has previous experience with the Chicago Humanities Festival, the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Merit School of Music to name a few. She holds a bachelors Degree from Oberlin University and a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University.

“I believe all the roads in my life’s journey have led me to the American Jazz Museum” Phillips said. “I’ll be interested in listening with a keen ear to all of our stakeholders to discover the opportunities and challenges that have come along the way in considering next steps for a more fiscally sustainable and vibrant future.”

Interim Executive Director Ralph Caro will be assisting in the leadership transition. “We owe Ralph a debt of gratitude for providing this community treasure with a steady hand of leadership at this pivotal time in its history” said AJM Board Chair Eugene Agee.

Phillips will assume the Executive Director role early in January, 2020.