Mission
We improve the lives of underserved musicians with pro bono CPA tax service and instruction on the tax implications of the music business. We do this to help preserve New Orleans’ beloved jazz and blues.
History
Harmony Street Society was formed in 2021 in response to requests from health care and social service workers assisting New Orleans musicians, who confronted with an impasse they could not overcome, the mental anguish caused by severe tax issues and other financial hardships. They knew this anguish impacts their physical health. About six months after Harmony Street Society began its work, these same health care providers saw profound changes in their patient’s overall health. They began making all their appointments, followed doctor’s orders, and had an improved outlook on life. Harmony Street does this work pro bono, and we do it to preserve New Orleans’ music. Please donate to Harmony Street directly or sponsor a musician.
Meet Our Team
Harmony Street Society is a 501c3 non-profit foundation that provides tax compliance and many other services to musicians. Our CPA provides personalized expert consultation, assessment, and resolution of financial issues for participants at no cost to them.
Alison Edmonson, CPA
Secretary / Treasurer
Alison Edmonson is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and small businesses take control of their finances. In addition, she is our Secretary and Treasurer. As a top-rated CPA with TurboTax, she has built a reputation for making complex tax and financial concepts easy to understand. Combining her expertise with her passion for service, Alison founded Harmony Street Society dedicated to improving financial literacy among musicians and creative entrepreneurs. Her mission is to empower artists to build sustainable, financially confident careers.
Jim Edmonson
President / CEO
Jim manages day-to-day operations as our President and CEO. He holds a Master of Arts in planning and has 45 years of experience managing non-profits in Louisiana, Michigan, and New York. In addition to operations, he has experience creating and funding 501c3 and 501c6 non-profits. In four short years under Jim’s guidance, Harmony Street Society assisted over 150 musicians that led to $529,239 in direct benefits to the musicians and $685,365 in direct and indirect benefits to the Greater New Orleans region.
Gregg Stafford
Mentor / Advisor
Gregg is a musician and Director of Harmony Street. He is our mentor and advisor. Gregg is one of the Crescent City’s most talented, deeply-rooted, and musically-committed trumpeters and vocalists — the kind of performer whose rich mix of passion, expertise, energy, and sense of humor always makes for good listening and happy audiences.
Stafford is also one of the founders of the Black Men of Labor organization, which is dedicated to keeping traditional brass band music on the streets of New Orleans; the leader of the Young Tuxedo Brass Band for over 25 years; a Preservation Hall Master Practitioner; and a long-time colleague of Dr. Michael White’s in the Original Liberty Jazz Band.
Zach Danner
Mentor / Advisor
Zach brings deep fundraising expertise in foundation and corporate relations, prospect strategy, and research. Zach has an established record of enhancing development operations and raising major gifts for a myriad of educational, research, and community-focused initiatives.
Over the course of his career, Zach has served as Development Director for the New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation, raised major gifts at Tulane University’s office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, and directed prospect strategy and management offices at Duke University, Nova Southeastern University, and Teach for America. He is a graduate of Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business.
An avid live music fan, Zach enjoys spending his free time paying his respects to our treasured local culture bearers at our city’s cherished music venues and festivals.
Allay Earhart
Intern
Allay is a young New Orleans musician and business graduate who brings both creativity and strategy to his role as Social Media Marketing Intern. With a strong understanding of branding, audience engagement, and the unique challenges facing artists, he helps amplify our mission and connect musicians with the resources they need to thrive.
News
In the city that care forgot, you gotta remember to do your taxes.
In the city that care forgot, you gotta remember to do your taxes. And for a musician that can be an extra burden. We at the Harmony street foundation are a non/profit created to help musicians with their filings.
Allay Earheart
New Orleans born and raised Allay Earheart shows Harmony Street Society Foundation some love.
