We, artists and professionals of jazz, wish to express our concern following the judicial proceedings currently underway involving one of the prominent musicians in our field for alleged sexual offenses involving minors.
We, artists, programmers, presenters, journalists, press officers, teachers and professionals in the jazz world, have directly or indirectly witnessed problematic conduct for years: inappropriate remarks, persistent behavior, abuse of power, and improper gestures. Too often, these incidents occurring in professional settings have been minimized or downplayed, and too often we have looked away.
But this is enough. We have therefore decided to speak out and to assert here a legitimate right to raise a flag. We do so neither lightly nor out of a desire for controversy, but because the silence has lasted long enough.
Today, we firmly state that sexist and sexual violence are neither “excesses » nor inevitable aspects of artistic life. These are serious acts that destroy lives, vocations and health, and no work, talent or reputation can diminish their gravity.
It is not our role to replace the justice system, which alone is competent to establish the facts and determine responsibility. However, in view of the seriousness of the allegations and the particular responsibility held by cultural institutions, it seems essential to engage in a collective reflection on the conditions of professional commitment during the course of such proceedings.
We recall that the Labor Code imposes on employers a duty of prevention and protection with regard to sexual harassment and sexist conduct. This responsibility fully binds organizers, educational institutions, employers, producers and public partners within our sector.
We therefore call upon the professionals and organizations concerned to adopt a clear and responsible position, with a view to protecting audiences, students and teams, and to ensuring ethical consistency.
We also affirm our support for any person who is a victim or witness of sexist or sexual violence, and we encourage them, if they so wish, to contact the Collectives collective at the following address: collectives@protonmail.com, as well as the competent authorities, so that their voice may be heard within an appropriate context.
We want a jazz world that is truly safe, inclusive and respectful, where everyone can create, work and teach without fear of humiliation, abuse or violence. We are collectively responsible for ensuring this.
Notis©2026
By Sidney Usher
Sources : collectives