Education

Communicating the essence and cultural significance of jazz while cultivating a new audience.

A priority of PDX Jazz’s mission is to provide free educational outreach to under-served and under-represented students in the greater Portland area and surrounding communities, with a focus on Title 1A funded schools. Our education programs extend across the entire student body, emphasizing an interdisciplinary appreciation of jazz and its African American roots from a historical, sociological, and cultural perspective.

Experience PDX Jazz:

Jazz in the Schools Playlist

Essential Jazz Recordings

Additional Jazz in the Schools Playlists

A Brief History of Jazz

Women in Jazz

Experience More PDX Jazz Music

PDX Jazz Stories Playlist

Online presentations of popular jazz books:

Swing Sisters

Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson

Dizzy

Ella: Queen of Jazz

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone

Jazz Band Basics with Cynthia Plank

Part One

Part one of my presentation for the Midwest Clinic: How to Start a Jazz Band- Even If You Feel You're Not "a Jazzer." This video has ideas that you can use right away to start, develop and improve your young jazz ensemble.

Part Two

Part two of my presentation for the Midwest Clinic: How to Start a Jazz Band- Even If You Feel You're Not "a Jazzer." This video has ideas that you can use right away to start, develop and improve your young jazz ensemble.