Since our founding in 2008, NYJAZZ has performed coast to coast. From Birdland to Yoshi's, Town Hall to WABC TV, scores of radio stations, and Carnegie Hall performances, NYJAZZ has not only developed a following for an ensemble described as "stellar musicians" and "the most expressive artists on the scene", but has also attracted the support of Foundations and Organizations who have been instrumental in supporting the new music composed and produced by Rob Derke & the NYJAZZ Quartet and our guest artists in live performances and on recordings that include Mad About Thad (Jazzheads) and Blue Divide (ZOHO).
 
NYJAZZ was founded as a nonprofit organization to foster the advancement, creative spirit, and appreciation of jazz arts through education and performance activities. We harness the talent of faculty members that include master jazz musicians, NEA Jazz Masters, and numerous Grammy winners to educate and inspire the next generation of performers and audience members. For music students, it is reminiscent of a time when students of jazz learned their art form on the bandstand alongside the masters. In an effort to see a future where new music will have the necessary support to grow and evolve, NYJAZZ has reached THOUSANDS of students in a successful bid to build a connection between Jazz, our history as a nation, and the impact the arts will have on their future.

MISSION STATEMENT

NYJAZZ Initiative is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation formed for the purpose of advancing the performance, education, and creative spirit of the musical art form known as jazz. In order to keep the artistic level and appreciation alive for future generations, and in furtherance of this charitable and educational purpose, this Corporation shall:
     
    (a) Produce educational residencies and concerts with a performance based curriculum where high school, college and university students rehearse and perform with jazz masters and faculty members in local and international venues;

     (b) Support professional musicians and educators in their work that furthers the purpose of the Corporation through performances, workshops, masterclasses,recordings and research initiatives;

     (c) Commission and perform new works from emerging composers;

     (d) Develop local and national youth jazz ensembles;

     (e) Develop outreach programs bringing jazz and jazz masters into all levels of music education, as well as develop cross-curriculum program development and interdisciplinary programs incorporating jazz technique and history into subjects other than music, with a focus on American history;

     (f) Foster the application of jazz performance techniques and history to all levels of public and private education;

     (g) Work in cooperation with other organizations that work to promote the development of cultural music insofar as that work is useful in accomplishing the foregoing purpose