Jazz Education in Kansas City
Kansas City’s jazz community is greatly enhanced by the contributions of jazz educators and the many jazz education programs in the area. Several universities in the region offer jazz studies programs and summer camps. In addition, there are independent organizations that provide jazz education programs for both high school students and adults. The students from these programs are a welcome addition to KC’s dynamic and vibrant jazz community and are helping to keep the future of jazz in KC bright. The following is a brief description of programs in the area. Click on the institution name to go directly to their websites:
The University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory offers both Bachelors and Master level degrees in Music that include Jazz Studies. The jazz program at UMKC was elevated to national attention while under the direction of Bobby Watson and continues to flourish with Carl Allen as the current “Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies.” Along with a supporting faculty of some of KC’s finest working jazz musicians, the program continues to develop the next generation of Kansas City jazz musicians. Their summer Jazz Camp for students grades 6 to 12 brings the same high level of music development to younger students in the region.
The University of Kansas (KU) in nearby Lawrence, KS offers two options for a degree in jazz, the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Music. With Dan Gailey as the Director of Jazz, the program has received many national awards including numerous Down Beat Student Music Awards. Their annual KU Jazz Festival hosts over 50 college, high school and middle school jazz ensembles who perform for a panel of distinguished jazz educators and musicians in a non-competitive environment. Their week-long KU Jazz Workshop is open every summer to high school and college players along with an accredited jazz pedagogy class for teachers and college students.
Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) has built a national reputation for excellence in instrumental and vocal jazz performance. The college offers degrees in Music, Audio Engineering and Music Technology, while providing studies in jazz and contemporary/commercial genres. The Music Department hosts two major festivals annually, the m-pact Vocal Festival in November and the Kansas City Jazz Summit in April, plus they have recently brought back their KCKCC Jazz Camp in early June, every summer. Since 2017, the Music and Audio Engineering Departments have won a combined 67 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards and several of their ensembles have been selected to perform at national conferences across the country. Full-Time Faculty include Dr. Justin Binek, Dr. Ian Corbett, Brett Jackson and John Stafford II.
Metropolitan Community College (MCC)-Penn Valley offers an Associate of Arts degree with courses in jazz improvisation, jazz history, private lessons, and jazz ensembles. With close ties to the American Jazz Museum and the 18th and Vine District they annually host the Jazz in the Valley festival each fall and the 18th & Vine Jazz Festival in the spring.
Ottawa University, Ottawa, KS, Bachelor of Music-Jazz Studies leverages the historic roots of jazz music in metropolitan Kansas City and draws on the talents of contemporary jazz performers in the area to help students develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to the professional life of the musician. Their summer Jazz Camp is open to students ages 12 and up.
Jazz Academy at The American Jazz Museum, is a program that provides excellent jazz instruction for middle and high school students interested in improving their skills beyond what they’d normally receive in a traditional public/private school music program. Classes, which meet on Saturdays, focus on improvisation, style, history, theory, song forms, and musicianship. The faculty consists of the perfect combination of excellent performing artists and educators who also value working with students. Students also have many opportunities to perform.
Jazz Lab KC is a partnership with the historic Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City, a cornerstone of jazz history. Jazz Lab KC is a chance for KC adult/intermediate jazz students to break free from the isolation of practicing alone and the intimidation of advanced jam sessions. With the right guidance and a supportive group, students can grow as musicians and rediscover the joy of playing jazz.
Kansas City Area Youth Jazz founded by Christopher Burnett, is an after-school enrichment program for high school and college students interested in intensive study of jazz, improvisation, and professional recording practice. This merit-based program offers a tuition-free experience culminating with the recording of a professionally produced and commercially released album on the ARC label. Our team consists of industry professionals who serve in critical roles as coaches and mentors.
Live Jazz KC High School All-Star Big Band is comprised of 14 to 18-year-olds selected from the best high school musicians in the Kansas City Metro area. Directed by Live Jazz KC’s own Herschel McWilliams, and administrative director Tate Berry, the students learn and perform advanced level big band arrangements by the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and more. Sunday evening rehearsals (from November through May) develop the students’ skills in ensemble playing and improvisation beyond what they typically would experience in their public high school ensembles.
Show and Shed (S&S), a program founded by Angela Ward and The Comprehensive Arts Institute, is an annual instrumental Music Education Workshop targeting Youth Musicians and the young at heart. S&S offers courses in jazz improvisation, groove ability, music theory, and advanced harmony, ending with performances by participants and local and international artists.