In the year 2000, a group of dedicated individuals and jazz lovers, lead by former Mayoral Aid John Osborn, made the decision to produce an annual jazz and art festival in the city of Springfield to give jazz music a home in Springfield and to ensure that all of its citizens would have access to (at least) one significant cultural event. So they formed the Mason Square Jazz Festival Committee. Six years later they expanded their geography, embracing the entire city, as well as the city’s legacy as the birthplace of basketball, becoming “Hoop” City Jazz, Inc. (HCJ). Today we continue to work diligently in our quest build a destination event for the city of Springfield – with all the benefits that can accrue.