History

The Austin Jazz Workshop, Inc. was formed in 1994 for the purpose of bringing professional jazz performance and education into the public schools.

Kids enjoying a performanceThe non-profit corporation was formed on July 15th, 1994, and was granted preliminary 501(c)(3) status by the IRS on October 14th, 1994. Final determination of 501(c)(3) status was confirmed by the IRS on September 10th, 1998.

So far, we have completed fourteen seasons in central Texas public schools. They are as follows.

"The Sound of Richard Rodgers " (2007-08) focused on the prolific composer of classic Broadway shows like Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music.  Besides the school season, the AJW performed twelve events in Austin for area nonprofits and festivals.

Performances:  125.  Budget:  $97,955. 

"Jazz Royalty: Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn" (2006-07) brought the music of these two American master composers to 107 public school campuses.  We also performed 18 public events in and around Austin, TX for nonprofits and other groups.

Performances:  125.  Budget:  $93,743. 

"Fats Waller's Jumpin' Jive " (2005-06), presenting the music of the great Thomas 'Fats' Waller, appeared on 101 campuses.  The AJW also performed 14 community events and released our 4th CD, Big Boss Tenor.  Additionally, we initiated two 3-week Improv Intensive residencies for jazz band students at Kealing Middle School and LBJ High School.

Performances:  115.  Budget:  $103,766. 

Our eleventh season (2004-05), "Tough Texas Tenors", featured two tenor saxophone players going horn-to-horn over jazz standards and original compositions.   Special guest saxophonists Alex Coke and Russell Remington shared their debut with the AJW.

Performances:  103.  Budget:  $83,489. 

"Over the Rainbow with Harold Arlen" (2003-04) was dedicated to Harold Arlen, the man who wrote many of the songs that have become part of our national fabric. Featured tunes included “Over the Rainbow,” “Come Rain or Come Shine, ” and “I've Got the World on a String.”

Performances:  89.  Budget:  $69,655. 

“Bebop, the Pulse of Jazz” (2002-03) honored Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, and the others whose musical innovations in the 1940's profoundly changed the direction of jazz.

Performances:  84.  Budget:  $63,750. 

“The American Songbook: Cole Porter” (2001-02), featured many of the classic songs of this master composer, including Anything Goes, What Is This Thing Called Love, and Just One of Those Things.

Performances:  91.  Budget:  $80,831. 

“New Orleans and the Birth of Jazz” (2000-2001) focused on the early African-American pioneers of jazz, such as Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Scott Joplin, and Jelly Roll Morton.

Performances:  85.  Budget:  $71,010. 

“Gershwin; The American Dream in Song” (1999-2000) was devoted to American composer George Gershwin. The Austin Jazz Workshop received a Community Collaboration Award from local civic leaders for our work during this season.

Performances:  70.  Budget:  $53,754. 

“Monk, Master of Modern Music” (1998-99) was dedicated to the great African-American pianist and composer Thelonious Monk.

Performances:  74.  Budget:  $44,855. 

“Bosses of the Bossa Nova” (1997-98) focused on the Brazilian composers Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfa.

Performances:  66.  Budget:  $43,513. 

“Trumpet Titans of Jazz” (1996-97) examined the careers of three trumpeters whose work transformed jazz history in different ways--Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis.

Performances:  25.  Budget:  $21,353. 

“Ellington” (1995-96) presented the work of this most important of bandleaders.

Performances:  19.  Budget:  $14,895. 

"Currents in Jazz" (1994-95) looked at the streams that fed into jazz music, including gospel, the blues, classical, and rock.

Performances:  14.  Budget:  $8,700.