Enriching Lives Through Jazz
JOI strives to enrich the Las Vegas community by sharing musical experiences with young people who may otherwise never experience listening to, holding, owning, or even learning to play instruments. We primarily emphasize our outreach efforts towards disadvantaged and "at-risk" youth individually and often in large groups at Title 1 schools.
Jazz Routes
"Jazz Routes" launched in late spring 2021. A play on words, Jazz Routes provides donated and refurbished instruments to local disadvantaged and at-risk youth. Where this outreach partnership between JOI and Donor Sponsors departs from similar programs is JOI’s inclusion of a year’s worth of free music lessons to help get the children started on their musical journey. Instructors are hand selected, vetted, and background checked. Many are CCSD affiliated, and all are professional musicians with extensive teaching experience. Jazz Outreach Initiative has a unique partnership with Music & Arts, America's leading instrument retailer, to provide high quality instruments. Sponsored students take their private lessons from dedicated professionals at one of three local
Music & Arts locations.
An instrument with lessons isn't just a gift to a student in need, it feeds a passion to experience life lessons including work ethic, tolerance, patience, integrity, teamwork, problem solving, improved academics, and so much more. An instrument is also a gift of music for a child's entire family and their community.
Instruments may be donated at any time. Sponsorships of students are encouraged. The cost of teaching one child for one year is $1,500. That investment pays dividends for the life of that person and the soul of our community. Sponsors are encouraged to attend our gifting ceremony.
Buzzin' in Brass
Buzzin' In Brass is the brainchild of our co-founder and Vice Pres./Dir. of Programming, Gary Cordell. This highly acclaimed outreach effort for Title 1 "at risk" elementary schools is designed for students Kindergarten through 5th grade.
The Objective of Buzzin' In Brass is to introduce, educate and instill a love for music through live performances of the JOI Brass Quintet. The performances are engaging and fun, informative and interactive, and in very high demand by music specialists and administrators alike.
Jazz for Young People
"Jazz for Young People" is an outstanding program licensed to Jazz Outreach Initiative through our affiliation with New York City's famed Jazz at Lincoln Center education department.
This outstanding program presents a history of jazz through scripted and narrated presentations accompanied by live performances of the program music by our Jazz Vegas Orchestra big band or smaller sextets and other combos depending on the venue and program needs.
This November 2024, Jazz Outreach Initiative (JOI) proudly presents “What is Jazz,” a program designed to introduce students to the music of the all-American jazz big band. There will be three performances over two days, including a special sensory inclusive performance for youth with special needs.
Thanks to the visionary support of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, CCSD schools from across Southern Nevada will be able to bus their students to Reynolds Hall for this outstanding cultural experience. The organization is able to bring the magic of the full Jazz Vegas Orchestra (formerly JOI Jazz Orchestra) experience showcasing world class talent and historic music to young people showcasing a truly American art form, jazz!
JOI in Schools
JOI In Schools provides local middle school and high school jazz band directors the opportunity to welcome renowned local and internationally acclaimed jazz musicians from our Jazz Vegas Orchestra to work directly with their school jazz bands. Students receive outstanding feedback and exposure to talented local musicians with an emphasis on jazz pedagogy, the art of listening and section playing, and more. The program is 100% free to schools to participate thanks to our loyal donor supporters.
Outreach Programs
