Courtesy Randy Tunnell/Monterey Jazz Festival.

The Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest continuous jazz festival in the world, on Wednesday announced its intention to become more inclusive of Black and female performers and organization members, as well as working harder to attract a diverse audience.

In 2018 the organization created a diversity, equity and inclusion committee, which has been working for 18 months to craft the new statement with guidance from Oakland’s The Justice Collective, the organization said in a news release.

The committee includes staff and board members who provide organizational context and history, as well as future direction and visioning. The goal is to increase “diversity and equity on and off the bandstand.” The statement will guide the organization’s principals moving forward, committee chairperson Letty Ledbetter said in the news release.

The Monterey Jazz Festival was founded in 1958 and is one of the country’s premier jazz institutions. Read the statement in full below.

Monterey Jazz Festival Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement:

“Jazz sits within American culture as a singular and distinctive art-form. It has been created by, perpetuated by, and anchored in Black voices and culture. Since 1958, Monterey Jazz Festival has led the world in supporting and advocating for this legendary art-form. Entwined in this story are two realities. Jazz has historically shuttered participation by women. Monterey Jazz Festival audiences have largely consisted of white males, due to geography and the fact that Black and female audiences have not been cultivated and maintained. To be on the path of diversity, equity, and inclusion these realities must be addressed in the policies and practices of Monterey Jazz Festival. As leaders in the field, to make change, we will look to these truths. We affirm our commitment to continuing to question our role within this important community of artists, to create innovative and accessible education and music programs that expand who experiences, performs, and receives this beautiful music.

The Monterey Jazz Festival takes its inspiration from the ethos of jazz and derives its strength from the diversity and inclusion inherent in the art-form. We strive to reflect these values both on and off the bandstand, and in every aspect of the organization — the board, professional staff and employees, volunteers, vendors, artists, students, donors, and attendees.”