Jazz Fest president Ruth Grigs named Jazz Journalism Association 2025 Jazz Hero

Press
Written By Elena Sharnoff
Jazz Journalism Association presents Ruth Griggs with 2025 Jazz Hero Award

from left: Bonnie Johnson, Ruth Griggs, Elia Borrero and Eugene Uman, photo by Alejandro Vicuña Leyton — thanks to Ricard Torres-Mateluna

JJA 2025 Jazz Hero Ruth Griggs, president of the Northampton Jazz Festival, received her Award plaque from member Bonnie Johnson (of WICN, Worcester) in the company of 2024 Heroes Eugene Uman and Eisa Borrero (of the Vermont Jazz Center) at the Northampton fest’s headline presentation on Sept. 27 — a concert by New York Voices at the Academy of Music in Northampton, MA.

Writes Bonnie: “When I asked people to describe Ruth Griggs, the words that came back were ‘powerhouse,’ ‘fearless’ and above all, ‘a great connector of people.’ This is exactly what makes her a true Jazz Hero, someone who doesn’t just champion the music, but brings people together to keep its spirit thriving. Keep on keepin’ on!”

by JJA Editor, October 4, 2025

Elena Sharnoff

Elena Sharnoff, Ph.D., principal of B Strategic Communications, creates customized communication and web strategies that combine ingenuity, insight, and impact. She offers more than 20 years of experience in communications, strategic planning, project management, and audience engagement, with a focus on organizations in the education, non-profit, and sustainability sectors. Her communications background includes strategic marketing and communications, website strategy and management, branding, messaging, digital campaigns, content development, publications, art direction of multimedia collateral, and media relations.

https://b-strategic-communications.com/
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