---

The Los Angeles Jazz Society, founded in 1985, was created to elevate the image of jazz and its artists in the community. The Society is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and perpetuating the American art form, Jazz. The Los Angeles Jazz Society is a California nonprofit, educational corporation organized under the laws of the State of California, and under section 501C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The primary focus of the organization is on jazz education for young people; to identify and nurture emerging jazz musicians and to help create future audiences by stimulating an appreciation for jazz through its education programs.

• JAZZ IN SCHOOLS:  Initiated in 1988 as a project to conduct free jazz concerts in schools during the month of February, Black History Month.  Each year, over 23,000 children in 45 Los Angeles City elementary schools have an opportunity to see and hear a  live concert performed by professional jazz artist/educators and learn about jazz, its history, styles and artists.  Schools receive a set of preparation materials which includes a teacher outline, a supporting CD and a book about jazz which is donated to the school library.

• THE BILL GREEN MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: Designed to provide opportunities for selected music students in the public school system to receive training in advanced music techniques from professional musicians, individually and in small group workshops.  Many graduates are now successful performing musicians.

• JAZZ COOLCATS :  A ten-week series of jazz education classes in jazz and basic rhythms, conducted in association with LA’s BEST After School Enrichment Program in LAUSD elementary schools.

• JAZZGIVING:  Receives donated musical instruments and distributes them to the Los Angeles City School District. 

THE VIBE SUMMIT: Hosted by the Society, the Summit is an all-day concert with performances by great jazz vibraphone artists who come from all over the West to participate in this popular celebration.

The ANNUAL JAZZ TRIBUTE AWARDS DINNER & CONCERT was established in 1983 to recognize and honor Los Angeles based artists for their contributions in furthering the art form of jazz.  This major fund-raising event attracts musicians and jazz lovers from all over Southern California and supports the general operations of the organization and its education programs. 

The Los Angeles Jazz Society presents an on-going calendar of activities throughout the year which includes a variety of concerts, mixers and other events.  The Society keeps its members and others informed about its many activities as well as other “jazz news” through its quarterly newsletter, Quarter Notes.

With a growing membership, the Los Angeles Jazz Society continuously works to recognize the contributions of jazz musicians and to promote the future of jazz.