Since 1964, jazzmobile has been presenting free outdoor summer mobile concerts. as the pioneer mobile music organization, jazzmobile has brought the great jazz artists of our time directly to the public throughout the five boroughs of new york city, washington d.c., maryland, virginia, essex county, new jersey, westchester county, and several cities in upstate new york. our concerts are funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Governor David A. Paterson, Assembly Keith Wright, and Corporate Sponsors.

Housed at the Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Harlem, this nationally known and highly respected instructional model project was instituted in 1969, and attracts children ages 7 years and up from throughout New York City and the Tri-State area. Working with highly experienced Jazzmobile artist/instructors using the "master/apprentice" approach, students are able to develop their technical and musical skills. Emphasis is placed on Harmony and Theory, Reading Proficiency, Instrument Technique Development, Ensemble and Improvisational Playing as these important musical elements relate to the Jazz tradition. Many of our students have successfully entered the professional music field.

Returning this year to the Jazz Workshop program are the Master Classes conducted by great jazz legends and artists.

This free program serves both minority and non-minority students from the five boroughs and the tri-state area. The program is free, with a nominal registration fee. Many of our workshop students have gone on the achieve successful career in jazz.

click here for the 2011 Workshop Schedule

Lecture/Demonstration

Beginning in 1968, in response to requests from public schools in new york city, jazzmobile has produced an annual series of lecture/demonstration concerts in elementary, junior high, and high schools. talented and skilled jazzmobile artists conduct a one hour musical and oral presentation focusing on the history and evolution of jazz.

This program normally begins in february and concludes in may. it educates the students of nyc public schools in jazz, an area of music that is often times overlooked by traditional programs. this project provides youth with an opportunity to participate in the presentation and enjoy the talents of musicians that they would normally not be able to hear in a live performance.

During the sessions, the artists talk about the history of jazz, suggest how to listen to it, involve the students in a discussion and give an impressive performances. the highly skilled professional jazz artist also serve as a resource in the school, answering questions about jazz and its cultural importance from both students and teachers.

Since its inception in 1968, we have reached over 200,000 students and teachers of diverse backgrounds.

Free education programs open to the public

Jazzmobile has been at the forefront of bringing arts education programs to the public for over 40 years! realizing that the public interest demanded more that just quality performance programs, Jazzmobile launched two education programs in the late sixties that are models for similar programs around the country.

The goals of the Lecture Demonstrations and Saturday Jazz Workshop are to:

• Provide a music program that is multi-generational, enabling semi-professional adults and advanced students of all ages, an opportunity to receive training from some of the world's most noted professionals (many of our workshop student have gone on to achieve successful musical careers in jazz)
• Enable us to hire qualified established artists and talented emerging new york jazz musicians;
• Educate the students of new york city public schools in an area of music that is often times overlooked by traditional music programs;
• Provide younger students with an opportunity to participate in the preparation and presentation of live performances with musicians that they would normally not be able to hear, live, until they are adults (most jazz performances are in night clubs and expensive concert halls);

For the last five years jazzmobile, inc. has selected the "best of the best" during the annual "Jazzmobile Vocal Competition".

Contestants are chosen to showcase their talents to live audiences at venues throughout new york city after a successful audition. winners are selected by a panel of industry professional judges that have included among others - master jazz pianist, educator, composer, and founder of Jazzmobile, Billy Taylor; drummer, bandleader and composer t.s. monk; and jazz singer and educator Gloria Lynne.

Judging Criteria

• Ability to sing in the style of a jazz standard
• Phrasing and style
• Stage Presence
• Intonation
• Overall Impression