Jazz Education

High school jazz ensemble rehearsal

Lead with Swing! Fostering Leadership, Collaboration, and Confidence Through Jazz Education

When teachers intentionally design rehearsal culture around these ideas, they create ensembles that don’t just play jazz—they are transformed by and through it.

Read More
Marcus Roberts at the piano during a performance on stage with audience in background

Unlocking the Mystery and Beauty of the Art of Jazz

To commemorate Jazz Appreciation Month, NAfME’s Teaching Music Advisory Committee member Larry Blocher interviews jazz great Marcus Roberts.

Read More
closeup of retro microphone

The Musical Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

An Interview with Music Educator and Children’s Book Author Dr. Rekha S. Rajan By Amy Bradley, NAfME Editor In her award-winning children’s book That Swingin’ Sound: The Musical Friendship of…

Read More
young woman singing into microphone with saxophonist playing behind her

Jazz Teaching Tips for Classrooms and Ensembles

What’s your favorite jazz teaching tip for the classroom or ensemble? Three Music Educators Share Their Ideas This article first appeared in the April 2022 issue of Teaching Music. Roosevelt…

Read More
Will Matthews playing guitar

Five Questions with Jazz Guitarist Will Matthews of The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra

Five Questions with Jazz Guitarist Will Matthews of The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra By Thomas Amoriello Jr. NAfME Council for Guitar Education Immediate Past Chair To players in the jazz…

Read More
2018 Mixed Choir ANHE

Group Improvisation in the Choral Rehearsal

Group Improvisation in the Choral Rehearsal Three Improvisation Paradigms By NAfME Member Christopher L. Clark, PhD Chris Clark presented on “Group Improvisation in the Choral Rehearsal” during the NAfME 2021…

Read More
Youtube logo on iPad screen

Southern California Schools Take Part in Historic Jazz Choir Collaboration: Next Steps

Southern California Schools Take Part in Historic Jazz Choir Collaboration: Next Steps Vocal Groups at Four Los Angeles Schools Create a Collaborative Vision of Hope By NAfME Member Edward A.…

Read More
virtual jazz choir offers vision of hope

A Vision of Hope

A Vision of Hope How Four Schools Put on a Jazz Choir Collaboration during a Pandemic School Year Shared by NAfME Member Edward A. Trimis Last fall, four different Los…

Read More
Nestico Portrait

In Memoriam: The Legendary Sammy Nestico

The Jazz Education Network and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) mourn the passing of the legendary Sammy Nestico who died on January 17, 2021, at the age of…

Read More
Mark Whitfield

Five Questions with Jazz Guitar Great Mark Whitfield

“Know the Music, Be Prepared” Five Questions with Jazz Guitar Great Mark Whitfield By Thomas Amoriello Jr. NAfME Council for Guitar Education Immediate Past Chair The modern jazz scene has…

Read More