Back in the 1930s when the big bands took to smoke-filled stages from New York to Los Angeles they were often recognized by their official look: Matching suits, ties and fedoras. Fast forward to the modern-day competitive high school jazz scene, and a similar effect is found. Top ensembles are often recognized by their own [...]

  If you’re lucky enough to be in a school district that’s committed to its music program, you probably know that the spring semester is when we celebrate all things Jazz. But surprisingly, even the most accomplished elementary and secondary level musicians fall short in their actual understanding of the American-born musical genre. The beginnings [...]