Jazz Artists in the Schools Programs
Kris Allen and George Kaye jam with students at Northampton High School | 2020
Jazz Artists in the Schools Programs
Jazz education is part of our mission to carry forward the tradition of live jazz for generations to come.
Our two Jazz Artists in the Schools (JAITS) programs create opportunities for student musicians in Northampton Public Schools to work alongside some of the top working professional jazz artists in the field, and access an unparalleled level of mentorship and inspiration from them.
Support for the JAITS programs comes from individual donors, sponsors, and partner organizations.
Program Donors
“Pairing professional jazz musicians with young, aspiring players gives the students a role model to look up to and learn from. Playing alongside a pro could be just the thing to inspire them with a passion for jazz and fuel their dreams.”
-Allen Davis, Davis Financial Group
Launching the Program
The Jazz Artists in the Schools program launched in JFK Middle School in 2018
With the support of the Davis Financial Group, working with band director Claire-anne Williams, we connect her seventh and eighth grade students with working jazz artists.
Don Braden assists a jazz band student at JFK Middle School in November, 2023
Program expands to honor Elliot Ross
We expanded the program to Northampton High School in 2019 after receiving an outpouring of support in memory of a former NHS student, Elliot Ross.
Ross, an aspiring musician from Florence, died tragically at the age of 21 on November 2, 2018. The love and generosity of his parents, Hank and Paula Ross, and over 75 members of the Ross family and their friends enabled the expansion of the Jazz Artists in the Schools program to Northampton High School in collaboration with Band Leader Paul Kinsman.