JazzAmerica was co-founded by the world-renowned, Los Angeles-born jazz legend, Buddy Collette, in 1994.
Our mission was then, and continues to be, to “perpetuate the jazz tradition.”
During those decades, we have mentored hundreds of aspiring musicians. Each spring we audition students to form a combo and introduce them to the ‘collective improvisation’ of ‘Trad’ (traditional) jazz – strutting some ‘second line’ New Orleans music along the way – and proceed to the innovations of Louis Armstrong. After an annual trad jazz club performance, we expand in early summer to a big band and experience jazz in the tradition of the Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Gerald Wilson orchestras. The culminating performance takes place at the prestigious Central Avenue Jazz Festival – in the heart of the legendary West Coast jazz scene.
In order to bring the joys of jazz to all youngsters who make the commitment to JazzAmerica, we continue to offer our programs Tuition-Free!
“We believe the study of jazz provides a valuable opportunity for individual growth – in the areas of self-discipline, responsibility, creativity and self-confidence – as well as in the development of social skills, including cooperation and respect for elders and peers alike.”
JazzAmerica initiated summer Master Classes in 1994 at the Music Center of the County of Los Angeles. Over 90 students took part in the first several years of these summer ‘WorkChops,’ under the tutelage of jazz masters including pianist Gerald Wiggins, percussionist Nudgu Chancler, trumpeter Bobby Bryant, trombonist George Bohannon and woodwind virtuoso Buddy Collette.Those Saturday rehearsals have continued in all years besides the pandemic years. In 1995.
In that same inaugural year, JazzAmerica began a collaboration with LACER to provide after-school instruction at four middle schools and a high school in Hollywood, CA. We brought in professional musicians to work with kids who had little to no instrumental music background. Eventually the kids played their first band concerts; in the program’s final year they recorded a CD entitled, “Jazz After School.”
Over the years our Saturday ‘WorkChops’ have included intermediate through high-intermediate-level students. After a year or two with JazzAmerica, many of them have continued their jazz studies at such institutions as CSUN, USC, Berklee College of Music, University of North Texas and the New England Conservatory. Among those who have made a splash internationally are bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux; pianist and composer Jamael Dean; vocalist Darynn Dean; and pianist Mahesh Balasooriya. Others, including clarinetist Chloe Feoranzo, have made successful careers as both performers and teachers.
To keep the program going, we require funding. Our expenses include music acquisition, copying, teacher pay, rehearsal-room rental, and insurance. We invite you to enjoy the multiple benefits of making a donation to JazzAmerica: the satisfaction of a tax-deductible contribution, and the joy of seeing and hearing a new generation perpetuating America’s only indigenous art form: Jazz!
Keep swinging!
-Richard Simon, Program Director
For further information, please write: info@jazzamerica.org