Jazz Empowers, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to starting and growing jazz programs in underserved schools, saw the stress band directors were under and started brainstorming ways to support these dedicated educators.

Their solution – launching their Jazz Band Director Cohort. The goal of the cohort is to be an inclusive and welcoming community that supports jazz band directors as they teach their students and build their schools’ jazz programs. As part of the cohort Jazz Empowers will provide monthly online professional development, one on one coaching sessions, access to curriculum materials, and support putting together and editing virtual performances – all at the no cost for to band directors or schools.

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Jazz Empowers, a national nonprofit bringing jazz programs to students in underserved schools, announced the founding of their advisory board. The advisory board is comprised of some of the top jazz musicians in the world and will provide expert advice to Jazz Empowers staff as they continue to develop best practices in teaching students jazz. The 10 founding Advisory Board members are saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin, Jeff Coffin, Jon Irabagon, Bob Mintzer, Ted Nash, Miguel Zenon, trumpeters Dave Douglas, Terell Stafford, trombonist Michael Dease, and drummer Allison Miller.

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