Indie musicians are celebrating their new two-year Local 802 agreement with the Winter Jazzfest. The festival takes place every January and has become an important destination for jazz fans from around the world. BOOM Productions, which runs the festival, has projected that this winter’s event will employ upwards of 300 performers.

The two year agreement runs from September 2, 2026 through September 1, 2028 and includes higher wage scales for both 2027 and 2028 festivals, with a $25-per-musician increase for each year. And beginning with this year’s festival, qualifying performances by groups of three or four musicians who appear at the venue Close Up will earn a minimum wage of $200 per worker per service.

Musicians first won a union contract with Winter Jazzfest 15 years ago and have earned double-digit gains in wages and benefits since then. The most recent negotiation was two years ago.

This year, the Jazz Festival Action Committee included 18 musicians, one of the largest 802 committees.

The agreement also contains non-discrimination protections and bandleader outreach as well as the following pre-existing provisions:

• Full pay with no deductions: bandleaders and agents must pay musicians the full amount owed and may not deduct costs for promotion, advertising, rehearsals, transportation, equipment, lodging, food or other expenses.
• Recording protections: the producer of the festival (BOOM Productions, Inc.) may not record performances without permission.
• Working conditions: the producer must make reasonable efforts to provide an appropriate performance environment, including minimizing distracting noise and unnecessary electronic equipment during performances.
• Cancellation payments if the producer cancels a show
• Adequate sound checks
• Merchandise: the producer is not entitled to proceeds from merchandise sales.
• A dispute resolution mechanism that includes third-party arbitration

The festival next takes place from Jan. 12-19, 2027.

Musicians ratified the contract in late September.

• For more information on the Winter Jazzfest contract: Todd Weeks
• To learn how to unionize your next gig or festival: Sally Weathers