Jazz St. Louis is committed to making jazz an integral part of the St. Louis community. We continue this effort by presenting in-school concerts while placing a heavy emphasis on hands-on jazz education and promoting jazz as part of the school curriculum. Our education and outreach programs have already reached over 50,000 students. In 2006 we received a generous contribution from the Whitaker Foundation allowing us to greatly expand our education and community outreach programs.

This year, 16 of our artists on Jazz at the Bistro’s main series have been contracted to do education and outreach programs, up from last year’s seven. In addition, one of our newest education program, the Jazz St. Louis Artist Residency Program, funded in part by the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, is allowing us to add approximately 30 additional opportunities for in-school performances, clinics and master classes. These valuable programs allow us to reach students who do not have a knowledge of jazz music or its importance as an American Cultural Institution. Thanks to generous funding we are able to offer these programs at no cost to students or the participating institutions.