Jazz Power Initiative (JPI), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization engages thousands of New Yorkers and visitors annually – students, teachers, artists, and general audiences, in jazz music education and performances, building more creative communities. Jazz Power Initiative (JPI), a non profit, 501 (c) (3) organization, serves over 3100 New Yorkers and visitors annually – students, teachers, art
ists, seniors and general audiences, ages 8-80+, to promote youth development, and build more creative and inclusive communities through jazz music, theater and dance education and performance. Led by highly experienced teaching artists who are award-winning jazz, theater and dance professionals, JPI offers multidisciplinary training, scholarships and performance opportunities to New York City youth, ages 8-19, from every economic and social milieu through our “open-door” policy, with extended outreach to students in under-served New York City public schools in Northern Manhattan. We currently engage over 500 students and their teachers annually, providing after-school instruction mainly in Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood (where our offices are located) and the Bronx. Our youth education and community programs include after-school jazz workshops in music, dance and theatre online and at the United Palace in Washington Heights, private voice and piano keyboard lessons online and at our home studio in Inwood; our monthly Intergenerational Jazz Power Jam online and at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem; local community senior center workshops, and our annual Jazz Power Institute for artists and educators online and at Lehman College, City University in New York in the Bronx. Guest artists in our youth education and community programs include vocalists Catherine Russell, Charenee Wade, and Sweet Honey in the Rock founding members Carol Maillard and Louise Robinson; saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin, Camille Thurman (sax and vocal), Chris Byars, Jon Irabagon, Claire Daly, and Sun Ra Arkestra member Knoel Scott; Duke Ellington Orchestra trumpeters James Zollar, Mark McGowan and drummer David F. Gibson; and creative artist/educators Ray Anderson, trombone Bob Stewart, tuba, Curtis Stewart, violin; Latin Jazz band leaders Steven Oquendo, trumpet, Annette Aguilar, percussion, Dancers Mickey Davidson, Shireen Dickson and Okra Dance, Ximena Salgado and Rumbamena, Max Pollak and Rumba Tap. The Jazz Power House Trio is Eli Yamin, piano, Jennifer Vincent, bass and Dwayne “Cook” Broadnax, drums. Performance venues include Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, The United Palace in Washington Heights, and New York City Parks.
