Frank Alkyer

Awarded: 2018
Born: Wadsworth, Ohio

"I often tell people that being the publisher of DownBeat is the best job a human being can have."

- Frank Alkyer

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Regarded as one of the world's biggest advocates of jazz education, DownBeat magazine publisher Frank Alkyer has dedicated his professional life to keeping this uniquely American musical genre alive and thriving.

A native of northeast Ohio with a lifelong passion for music, Alkyer joined DownBeat in 1989 as editorial director. As publisher, a role he has held since 2003, Alkyer has expanded DownBeat's coverage to include websites, digital editions and eNewsletters. Combined, over 250,000 jazz musicians and fans worldwide read DownBeat each month.

Additionally, Alkyer runs two other music trade magazines and has served as the host of The Musician's Studio airing on PBS-Chicago. He is a founding board member of Jazz Alliance International and the Jazz Education Network.

Alkyer is a voice for music and arts education on the local, state and national level.