Meet Marco

"I remember my teacher sought me out in symphonic band and asked me, "Why are you not playing in my jazz band? I want you in the jazz band." And then I watched the video of Coltrane's solo on "Giant Steps" all blocked out - I didn't even know you could play that many notes. So that's when I decided, okay, I'm going to be in jazz band. All the communities that I've found myself a part of that I enjoy started from jazz band. It's just informed my daily way of life, too. I've learned so much from the long-lasting art form of jazz. I absolutely think that the more schools have access to music education like what we have here, the better off they are. It's amazing to see these kids connect with this music that they wouldn't have even known about if it wasn't for jazz band."

Marco Lopez, Jazz Empowers Instructor - Scholarship Prep, South Bay, Los Angeles