ArtistDirect News
Billy Jones Forever Foundation Launches to Support New York Musicians
A new lifeline for New York’s next‑generation artists has emerged from the ashes of a beloved Brooklyn club. Just shy of a year after the death of Brooklyn club owner Billy Jones, his family announced the launch of the Billy Jones Forever Foundation, a nonprofit scholarship and mentorship program that will award a select group of emerging music professionals each year with financial support and industry connections.
Billy Jones, 45, died on June 22, 2025, after a battle with glioblastoma. He co‑founded and owned Baby’s All Right, a 280‑seat bar and music venue in Williamsburg that became a launching pad for acts such as Billie Eilish, SZA, Mac Demarco, and Blood Orange. The club’s influence reached beyond the club walls, with references in songs by Lorde and Samia. Jones also performed with the band Other Passengers and booked shows at venues such as The Dance, Elvis, and Sin‑E. He helped open Night Club 101 and Funny Bar, further contributing to Williamsburg’s nightlife. His work earned him recognition as a key figure in cultivating emerging talent and fostering community, and his death was mourned by musicians, venue operators, and industry professionals who cited his dedication to the local scene.
The foundation, a fund of Make Something—a registered 501(c)(3) organization—aims to honor Jones’s legacy by supporting emerging music professionals. Each year, a limited number of applicants receive a scholarship that can cover equipment, housing, and travel. Recipients also connect with a network of industry professionals, including venue owners, booking agents, and producers, for mentorship and career guidance.
BreAnn Tassone, Jones’s sister, said, “Billy was devoted to music, to New York and to the creative, talented dreamers and risk takers who make this city what it is. Though he had to leave us, he still has work to do. We are excited and grateful to know he can still do the work he was so passionate about through the recipients of this organization.”
Applications are open through the foundation’s website, with annual deadlines. Applicants submit a portfolio, résumé, and statement of intent; donors can contribute via online payment or bank transfer. The partnership with Make Something ensures compliance with nonprofit regulations and transparent reporting of funds.
Baby’s All Right remains a key venue for emerging artists, offering a 280‑seat capacity that balances intimacy with visibility. The club’s reputation for showcasing fresh talent has attracted national attention, and its influence extends beyond Brooklyn. Jones’s ownership shaped a curatorial philosophy that prioritized artistic integrity over commercial pressure. The foundation seeks to continue that ethos by supporting artists who embody similar values.
The foundation’s model reflects a growing trend of venue owners and musicians creating support systems for emerging talent. By providing financial aid and mentorship, it addresses gaps in the traditional music industry pipeline, where many artists struggle to secure resources for production and touring. The initiative may inspire similar programs in other cities, reinforcing the importance of local ecosystems in sustaining creative careers.
With the foundation now operational, New York’s music community has a new mechanism to honor a beloved figure while investing in future talent. The organization’s focus on tangible support and community building aligns with Jones’s lifelong commitment to fostering creative risk‑taking. As the first cohort of scholarship recipients is announced later this year, the industry will observe how the foundation’s resources translate into new projects and careers.
Information about applying to or donating to the Billy Jones Forever Foundation is available on its official website. The foundation’s launch is a tribute to a man who shaped Brooklyn’s music scene and an investment in the next generation of artists. Its success will depend on community engagement and the ability to sustain funding streams for scholarship and mentorship programs.
Billy Jones, 45, died on June 22, 2025, after a battle with glioblastoma. He co‑founded and owned Baby’s All Right, a 280‑seat bar and music venue in Williamsburg that became a launching pad for acts such as Billie Eilish, SZA, Mac Demarco, and Blood Orange. The club’s influence reached beyond the club walls, with references in songs by Lorde and Samia. Jones also performed with the band Other Passengers and booked shows at venues such as The Dance, Elvis, and Sin‑E. He helped open Night Club 101 and Funny Bar, further contributing to Williamsburg’s nightlife. His work earned him recognition as a key figure in cultivating emerging talent and fostering community, and his death was mourned by musicians, venue operators, and industry professionals who cited his dedication to the local scene.
The foundation, a fund of Make Something—a registered 501(c)(3) organization—aims to honor Jones’s legacy by supporting emerging music professionals. Each year, a limited number of applicants receive a scholarship that can cover equipment, housing, and travel. Recipients also connect with a network of industry professionals, including venue owners, booking agents, and producers, for mentorship and career guidance.
BreAnn Tassone, Jones’s sister, said, “Billy was devoted to music, to New York and to the creative, talented dreamers and risk takers who make this city what it is. Though he had to leave us, he still has work to do. We are excited and grateful to know he can still do the work he was so passionate about through the recipients of this organization.”
Applications are open through the foundation’s website, with annual deadlines. Applicants submit a portfolio, résumé, and statement of intent; donors can contribute via online payment or bank transfer. The partnership with Make Something ensures compliance with nonprofit regulations and transparent reporting of funds.
Baby’s All Right remains a key venue for emerging artists, offering a 280‑seat capacity that balances intimacy with visibility. The club’s reputation for showcasing fresh talent has attracted national attention, and its influence extends beyond Brooklyn. Jones’s ownership shaped a curatorial philosophy that prioritized artistic integrity over commercial pressure. The foundation seeks to continue that ethos by supporting artists who embody similar values.
The foundation’s model reflects a growing trend of venue owners and musicians creating support systems for emerging talent. By providing financial aid and mentorship, it addresses gaps in the traditional music industry pipeline, where many artists struggle to secure resources for production and touring. The initiative may inspire similar programs in other cities, reinforcing the importance of local ecosystems in sustaining creative careers.
With the foundation now operational, New York’s music community has a new mechanism to honor a beloved figure while investing in future talent. The organization’s focus on tangible support and community building aligns with Jones’s lifelong commitment to fostering creative risk‑taking. As the first cohort of scholarship recipients is announced later this year, the industry will observe how the foundation’s resources translate into new projects and careers.
Information about applying to or donating to the Billy Jones Forever Foundation is available on its official website. The foundation’s launch is a tribute to a man who shaped Brooklyn’s music scene and an investment in the next generation of artists. Its success will depend on community engagement and the ability to sustain funding streams for scholarship and mentorship programs.