Washington Jazz Arts Institute

03/03/2026

In Akron tomorrow with Tim McAllister and Liz Ames.
Trio concert. Looking forward to this one.

https://ci.ovationtix.com/35316/production/1233249?performanceId=11609418

03/03/2026

Each song on “We the People,” the newest record by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, was written by a different JLCO member.

A compilation of 12 songs that were individually inspired by 12 paintings or sculptures from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the album was recorded live in 2019 and is the result of a historic collaboration between the Museum and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Listen to “We the People” now at JAZZ.ORG/PEOPLE

••••

1. We the People | Wynton Marsalis
Inspired by We the People (black version) (2015) by Nari Ward

2. One Understands | Vincent Gardner
Inspired by Trinity (1962) by Adolph Gottlieb

3. Summer Day | Elliot Mason
Inspired by Summer Day (1911) by Frank Weston Benson

4. Black Balloon | Christopher Crenshaw
Inspired by Black Balloon (1964) by Gene Davis

5. The Cycle of Life | Carlos Henriquez
Inspired by Two Women (1924) by George Wesley Bellows

6. Mitakuye Oyasin (All Are Related) | Kenny Rampton
Inspired by Landscape with Indian (ca. 1826) by Thomas Cole

7. A Hot Jam on Grand | Sherman Irby
Inspired by Rough, Ain’t It (1949) by Grace Hartigan

8. Au Café (Synchromy) | Ted Nash
Inspired by Au Café (Synchromy) (1918) by Stanton Macdonald-Wright

9. For Never and Forever | Walter Blanding
Inspired by Sacrifice (1941) by Romare Bearden

10. The Tree | Paul Nedzela
Arranged by Carlos Henriquez
Inspired by The Tree (1938) by Helen Lundeberg

11. Salvation, Serenity, Reflection | Marcus Printup
Inspired by Charlie Mae Practicing for the Baptising (1974) by Carroll Cloar

12. The Sound of Colors | Victor Goines
Inspired by Still Life with Flowers (1930) by Stuart Davis

••••

Executive Producer: Wynton Marsalis
Recording Engineer: Rob Macomber, Todd Whitelock (track 11 only)
Music Editor: Chris Gold
Mixing Engineer: Todd Whitelock
Mastering Engineer: Chris Gold

01/08/2026

Be a part of the fix in 2026!

11/18/2025

Please consider us in your Giving Tuesday and
other end of year giving choices and help continue helping the arts and culture thrive.

10/29/2025

Thinking about my dear brother Fred Foss! R.I.P.
We ❤️ you

Freedom Trane
https://youtu.be/8k1Bst2swbQ?si=7LUhne5-zbJz4V5m

The Journey
https://youtu.be/Qwz_0wmDKGg?si=xp9bU44WOJe_k1ei

When We Were
https://youtu.be/cfFEHjK9Zmw?si=r2mpWTz9FamlRtNV

The Creator has a Master Plan
https://youtu.be/OF4j5jt-L2Y?si=7GayRnIfnDwFjZNV

10/29/2025

09/20/2025

⚡️ Television Just Broke Its Own Chains. In a move no one saw coming, Rachel Maddow, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel walked away from the system — and built a newsroom that has every major network shaking.

No advertisers. No corporate censors. No watered-down scripts. Just three of the biggest names in media tearing down the old rules and declaring war on silence. Maddow brings her unflinching analysis, Colbert his razor-sharp satire, and Kimmel his fearless late-night voice — a trio ready to deliver stories the networks never wanted told.
Read more: https://hotnews.znicely.com/posts/maddow-colbert-and-kimmel-just-walked-away-from-the-system-and-avysssul-shipminion

Audiences are calling it the rebirth of real journalism. Networks are calling it chaos. But one thing is clear: what started as rebellion now feels like revolution — and the future of news may never be the same.

09/12/2025

Hello all,
We have been nominated for a Mayor's Arts Award. If you live in DC, please share and vote using the link below. You can help us win!
Thank you!

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Use this link! Any DC resident can vote! Pass it on to your friends, post on social media and talk us up, PLEASE! You can help us WIN!

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07/10/2025

Davey Yarborough and I started the Washington Jazz Arts Institute in 1998 to assure free quality music education for youth in DC, now expanded to the DMV. It's been a labor of love - sometimes very hard to keep going and sometimes frustrating when that "grant" didn't come through, or when we just didn't know how we were going to keep going. We did what we had to do, and now, 27 years later, we are still doing it, giving the best we have to young musicians, ages 12-21 through our year-long programming. We have the absolute best instructors this year in Wes Biles, Rick Burrell, Brian Settles, David Marsh, Julian Spires. Jessica Boykin-Settles, Samuel Prather, Jr., Leon Rawlings Leonard Brown, and Paul Bailey. Their dedication still amazes me, and some, like Wes Biles has been with us since the very beginning, all have been with us for years. Some are Davey's former students, a testament to the glue that is Davey Yarborough. They don't get enough credit (or pay) for the work and love they put into training and mentoring these young musicians. The students love and appreciate them and they are flourishing and growing and maturing right before my eyes. Every year, we have a waiting list because we cannot take all who want to come, and I don't believe we've ever had a dropout. Indeed, they come back year after year until the go to college or out into the jazz world or on the road with their own groups or with names you would surely recognize. Others chose other careers, but still they have the love of playing music in their souls for life.
We are in our third week of our four week summer program and the time flies. On Saturday, July 12th, we will show our student and alumni produced documentary film on the history of jazz in DC from the 60's forward. Our friend, Jerry Brown's Bronze 88 media group taught a group of our students and alumni about film making and interviewing and the work that goes into making a film we are very proud of.
On July 16th and 17th we have our annual noontime free concerts for the community. They start at noon and last around an hour. Make us your lunchtime destination. You'll be glad that you did!
Please join us in collaboration with the Peoples Jazz Society on the 12th, and hear our full, exciting program of ensembles and the big band on the 16th or 17th.
If you want to help, go to our website (WJAI.org) and check us out and donate to the cause. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit, and we're working every day to keep the music alive.
We'd love to see you!!

07/08/2025

Come, see, hear, learn, support, and enjoy Jazz in DC!