Our mission at the Tucson Jazz Institute (TJI) is to create educational and performance opportunities for young musicians to reach their highest potential. Jazz ensembles at TJI are taught by seasoned educators who are also professional musicians with the highest standard of musical excellence and a proven track record of success in developing young talent. The TJI Elllington Big Band and the TJI Concord Combo have established themselves as two of the leading high school jazz groups in the country, earning recognition from Downbeat magazine and winning the #1 positions in national competitions such as the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival, The Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, and the Fullerton Jazz Festival. The possibilities:
* The opportunity to play and develop meaningful friendships with focused and dedicated musicians from all over Tucson and Southern Arizona
* Performing in ensembles of all levels give students the opportunity to advance, from very beginning classes to the #1 high school jazz band in the nation
* Traveling opportunities to festivals in various locations such as Arizona, California, Utah, New York City and Europe
* Developing skills in teamwork, leadership and building self confidence
* Opportunities to perform weekly in the community with TJI instructors and local professionals . In addition to music classes for all ages (private, small and large group), TJI offers Music Technology classes (recording arts), and has its own recording label - TJI Jazz. A majority of the students are in middle and high school and come from as far south as Nogales and Rio Rico to Phoenix and Chandler on the north end. Co-owners/co-directors are Scott Black and Brice Winston. As of June 1, 2015, TJI is in a new facility at Utterback Magnet Middle School, 3233 S Pinal Vista, Tucson AZ 85713.
