The Los Angeles Jazz Society kicked off 36 years of presenting free interactive jazz education concerts Feb. 1 for Black History Month. This year over 24,000 children in 40+ LAUSD elementary schools will become acquainted with jazz, its history, styles and artists. LA Jazz Society brings this program to the schools that have lost most of their music programs, with support from the Herb Alpert Foundation, the Los Angeles Dept. of Cultural Affairs, L.A. County Arts Commission, the Adler Deutsch Foundation and Music Performance Trust Fund.

Following a two-year absence during Covid, and returning in 2023, the combos will continue the program all month long with performances almost daily. Some of the upcoming dates/schools earmarked for performances include Barton Hill Elementary at 423 N. Pacific Ave. and Sylmar Elementary at 13291 Phillippi Ave.

The purpose of the Jazz in Schools program is to participate in the celebration of Black History Month by acquainting young children with jazz; to appreciate the important contribution made by African Americans to American culture. Every combo includes a woman, and a Spanish speaking player to demonstrate the connection with Latin Jazz and that the art form is all-inclusive. The program also helps fill the gap in the performing and visual arts in Los Angeles Schools due to budget and program cuts. In order to include the entire city equally, the schools are selected by the City Council District, with three schools in each district.

For information and a complete schedule, visit lajazz.org.