About Us
Get to Know About Us
International Jazz Day AZ Foundation
UNESCO and Herbie Hancock launched International Jazz Day worldwide in 2012. Arizona held its first celebration in 2013, and the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation was established in 2015 to carry it forward across Arizona — Bringing the Flavor of New Orleans to Arizona through festivals, concerts, cultural partnerships and education programs.
As schools close and budgets shrink across Arizona, music educators are often the first to lose funding, time, and stability. Through paid after-school programs, community partnerships, corporate support, and revenue from our Scottsdale Jazz Festivals and cultural events, we provide music teachers with the financial support, resources, and platform they need to continue building strong programs for their students.
2013
First Arizona celebration · Foundation est. 2015
What Guides Us
Mission, Vision & Solution
Our Mission
Protect, sustain, and expand music education in Arizona, especially in communities most impacted by school closures and budget cuts.
Read moreOur Vision
An Arizona where no child loses access to music because a school closes, and no music teacher is forced to abandon their students.
Read moreOur Solution
Paid after-school instruction, direct teacher support and community partnerships that keep programs alive.
Read moreWho We Are
An Arizona-based nonprofit founded and led by jazz musician, educator, and community leader William “Doc” Jones.
Read more“For over four decades, I have used music to keep kids focused, inspired, and connected to something bigger than their circumstances. This Foundation exists to carry that promise forward.”
Our Values
- Equity in Education – Music is not a luxury; it is essential
- Community First – When systems fail, communities must lead
- Respect for Educators – Teachers deserve compensation, dignity, and support
- Cultural Preservation – Jazz is America’s gift to the world
- Youth Empowerment – With music on their mind, there’s no time for crime