We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Meg Morrow as the new Executive Director of Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble. Welcome to the team, Meg!
You may know Meg as a DJ on KMHD Jazz Radio, where she goes by “Meg Samples.” Her deep knowledge and enthusiasm for jazz music and warm relationship with the audience help make jazz a vital part of our community. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to hear Meg on KMHD.
Meg brings a broad range of experience to PJCE that will help the organization to grow. She brings a talent for building relationships among a diverse range of stakeholders, building an audience for jazz, and working with a team to achieve operational and revenue goals. As she does all that work, Meg also believes in and has experience in supporting equitable access for all.
Please join PJCE’s Board of Directors and staff in welcoming Meg to PJCE!
A major milestone for our organization
Meg succeeds Douglas Detrick, who served as both the Executive Director and Artistic Director 2013 to 2022, helping the organization produce more ambitious, culturally-relevant programming, raising pay for artists and staff to competitive levels, and building a bigger, more diverse coalition of partners. Detrick will move into a new position as Interim Artistic Director as part of a planned transition, and will help the organization plan the next chapter of artistic leadership.
“Meg is the right leader for this time of growth and change. She understands the music, she knows this community, and most importantly, she is committed to the values we hold dear in jazz—an embrace of a broad spectrum of creative styles, making space for a range of voices to be heard, and an understanding that jazz isn’t just a music genre. We carry on a legacy of cultural expression, set in motion by jazz’s Black originators, that is a positive community gathering point in Portland and has been for decades. With Meg’s leadership, it will continue to be,” Douglas Detrick said.
We are excited for Meg’s leadership and look forward to working with her!
More about Meg Morrow
Meg Morrow is a percussionist, radio host, and arts enthusiast based in Portland, Oregon. Originally from Kentucky, Meg graduated from the University of Louisville Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program where she concentrated in jazz drumming. For over a decade Meg has been performing, composing/arranging, touring, recording and teaching. She was Assistant Director with the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, Music Director for Girls Rock Louisville, Percussion instructor for Kentucky School for the Blind, and taught classroom music for educators at the University of Louisville. Meg is passionate about access to Jazz for all and encouraging others to jump on the jazz train. She currently hosts the AM Bridge on KMHD, Portland’s Jazz Radio, teaches private lessons, and volunteers for Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue.