It All Starts With An Idea…

Growing up in Chino Valley, AZ, I was fortunate enough to be part of a fantastic jazz program. I not only found myself, but I also found my passion. I started taking improv lessons, playing with a lot of other great student musicians from Yavapai County, and I even placed 2nd on bass trombone in the All-State Jazz band. I studied for a few years at the local community college, left my home town to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s at Northern Arizona University, then left the state to pursue a Doctorate of Musical Arts at Texas Tech University.

When I returned to Yavapai County to raise my young family, I found that the opportunities to learn jazz in the area had dwindled to an alarming trickle. Prescott High School now only had one jazz band instead of two jazz bands and a combo, Bradshaw Mountain High School was having a hard time finding enough students to play in their jazz band, and Chino Valley High School, the very place where it all started for me, no longer had a jazz program. That’s where my idea began. How can I give back to the community and promote jazz education/performance, and what part can I play in building a foundation for Yavapai County students to learn in a healthy environment?

The Yavapai Jazz Institute (YavJazz) was born from these questions. Our goal is to increase the opportunities for our students to learn, perform, and appreciate jazz music. We strive to give the students what was once more easily accessible, an avenue to express themselves in ways they did not know possible. A connection to a true American art form: Jazz.

Dr. Calvin Audis
President/Music Director

  • To educate, entertain, and inspire artists, students, and community members through the study, performance, and appreciation of jazz music.

  • The vision of the Yavapai Jazz Institute is to build a foundation that will promote jazz education to our community. Our ultimate goal is to grow the program in such a way that will allow us to impact those outside of Yavapai County.

    Phase One: Establish a youth jazz band (Complete).

    Phase Two: Establish two high school age youth jazz bands (In Progress).

    Phase Three: Establish a middle school age youth jazz band (Developing).

    Phase Four: Establish a 2-week summer intensive jazz band camp, with a youth and adult component (Developing).

  • 5/18/2023: The Yavapai Jazz Institute’s first Board Meeting, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are approved.

    5/19/2023: Articles of Incorporation are approved by the State of Arizona.

    6/6/2023: Inaugural rehearsal of the YavJazz Big Band, held at Franklin Phonetic School in Prescott Valley, AZ. The Big Band consists of a total of 18 students: 4 students from Franklin Phonetic, 1 from Mile High Middle School, 6 from Bradshaw Mountain High School, and 7 from Prescott High School. 8 Saxes, 2 Trombones, 5 Trumpets, Guitar, Bass, and Set.

    6/20/2023: Status as a 509(a)(2) non-profit charity, tax exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3), is approved by the IRS.

    8/12/2023: First parent and community night. Also first performance.

    8/19/2023: YavJazz Big Band performs at the Jazz Summit.

    12/8/2023: YavJazz Big Band performs at Acker Night.

    6/4/2024: The Yavapai Jazz Institute's 2nd Season begins, rehearsals are moved to Prescott High School. 21 students are enrolled.