'Jazz in the Schools' for Portland Public Schools

Founded in 2002, PDX Jazz is a cultural nonprofit in Portland that supports the growth of the local music community by curating Jazz, and creating growth within the music community in Portland.

PDX Jazz in the Schools is an outreach and education program that exists in select Portland Public Schools. The program is designed to introduce students to Jazz by exploring its history and origins in addition to studying the different ways it has influenced the evolution of visual art in America, and affected different aspects of American history.

The program is divided into 3 fundamental platforms of instruction, that adhere to the PDX Jazz philosophy, and enhance students opportunities in three different areas:

1) Provide hands-on appreciation for American music as art

2) Make art available, accessible and entertaining

3) Create opportunities to appreciate the importance of the contributions made by African American Jazz artists

“Thanks to a generous grant from US Bank, Jazz in the Schools is growing. To learn more about bringing Jazz in the Schools to their students, administrators and teachers are encouraged to reach out to info@pdxjazz.com. We are excited to partner with new schools to introduce the influence of jazz and inspire creativity, collaboration and improvisation!” - Kim Harrison, Education Coordinator

Since jazz performance is based in improvisation, students are taught that the connection between inspiration and creation is where the genius behind jazz comes from. In addition to musical training and basic instruction, a strong emphasis is placed on gaining a holistic understanding of jazz from a historical, cultural, performative and artistic perspective. Visits are made to the classrooms by Jazz in Schools instructors over the course of the project.

Check out this Jazz in the Schools Promo video to get a better idea of how the students who have participated in the program in the past have been influenced by learning more about Jazz in America.

“Jazz in the Schools is an opportunity for students to learn about music and art and history all at the same time.” Cynthia Plank, Band Director, Beaumont Middle School

Portland Public School students who participate in the Jazz in the Schools program are also afforded the opportunity to create works of visual art; this portion of the program helps the students that might be less musically inclined to understand the ways that jazz can impact other areas of art as well. Check out some of the past student art projects.

"PDX Jazz offers FREE jazz education for all ages. The Incredible Journey of Jazz is a professional, live performance sharing the vibrant history of jazz designed to engage and inspire students. Also, we are introducing Discover Jazz, an adult series that begins October 7th at Literary Arts. Go to pdxjazz.com to learn more about these programs and how you can become involved in helping support educational outreach in our community," Kim Harrison, Education Coordinator

Image and video via Bjorn Carlson, PDX Jazz