WHAT WE DO
International Jazz Day AZ is a music education foundation that works to promote, preserve, perpetuate, and encourage the music, culture, and heritage of communities in Arizona. Through our mission, we strive to create a supportive environment where young people can learn the art of jazz and develop their skills as musicians. We believe that by educating students on jazz's roots, we can help them understand the importance of this genre as an art form. Additionally, we work with local educators to provide workshops and performances with professional jazz musicians to expose students to different styles and techniques. We aim to foster a better appreciation for jazz music among its practitioners and audiences.
The Foundation has developed numerous programs and assets in service of this mission. Click https://nextstudentacademyofthearts.com/ to learn more about them, and click the donation button to contribute to the Foundation's efforts. The International Jazz Day AZ Foundation has a dedicated full-time volunteer staff to carry out the organization's work. Our charitable services include free private lessons and instruments for young people at risk.
Uniting Arizona Around International Jazz Day
Since 2011, our Founder and Executive Director William “Doc” Jones has tenaciously and passionately united the State of Arizona around International jazz Day (April 30), an international day officially designated by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization to highlight jazz and its role in uniting people around globe. Doc’s efforts led to the first official “International Jazz Day AZ Festival” at CityScape in Phoenix on April 30, 2011. Since then, festivals have expanded to include Scottsdale, Mesa, and an annual “Jazz at Lunch” on the lawn at Arizona State Capitol. In 2017, Governor Doug Ducey declared April as “Arizona Jazz Appreciation Month” giving credence to Doc’s efforts, and opening the door for future growth and success.
Providing Cultural Enrichment through Festivals & Events
The International Jazz Day AZ Foundation produces jazz events year-round, but “Arizona Jazz Appreciation Month” has become one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. Jazz celebrations throughout Arizona highlight April. Past festivals have featured jazz, blues, and Latin music performances from acclaimed local, national, and international jazz artists like Azar Lawrence, Nicolas Payton, Carlos Rivas, Dr. Jesse McGuire, Tony Monaco, Kermit Ruffins, Donald Harrisons Incognito, Jeff Lorber, and Nayo Jones. We have connections with top-name jazz artists, but the generous support of community partners helps us bring the talent to Arizona stages. We’ve collaborated with the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa on bringing jazz to their communities and look forward to expanding to more cities in the future
Giving Students Access to Music Education
Proceeds from festivals and other music events produced by the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation are redistributed to local community organizations that support and develop arts and jazz music programs for youth at risk like the Academy of Excellence, the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center, and Doc’s very own after school and summer music program, the NextStudent Academy. The Next Student Academy gives kindergarten through college students access to music instruments, music lessons, demonstrations by professional musicians, vocal lessons, and opportunities to perform on stage. These programs are solely supported by Doc’s big heart, his vast network of musicians that make special appearances, and through proceeds from Arizona Jazz Appreciation Month festivals, and funds raised throughout the year. Since establishing the NextStudent Academy, Doc has brought music programs to more than 10 schools in Maricopa County, and provided free music lessons to more than 5,000 students.