Presented by the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation
Co-Partner: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

Co-presenters: Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club, San Bernardino County Schools, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors

As part of a continuing commitment to perpetuate the legacy and expand the boundaries of jazz through theoretical and performance education, the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation created the Next Generation Jazz Youth Initiative (NGJYI).

Since its inception in 2007, Next Generation Jazz has been awarding scholarships, grants and music internships to help aspiring ‘young jazz lions’ develop imaginative thinking, creativity, curiosity, a positive self image, and a respect for their own and others' cultural heritage.

Next Generation Jazz Youth Initiative is made possible by the unwavering support of our sponsors, fans, BJJF Jazz Ambassadors, public donations and the generous support of local businesses, education and civic organizations throughout the region.

Every spring, the NGJYI invites the best and the brightest student musicians from across the mountain community to participate in the Next Generation Jazz Scholarship audition.

Scholarship and grant recipients perform live with renowned jazz musicians during the Foundation’s annual “Jazz in Blue Jay” summer concert series held Thursdays in August.

The Foundation encourages visiting artists to give master classes and clinics to collegiate and high school music students. Previous participants in this program include multiple Grammy and Emmy Award winning guitarist, Kenny Burrell, the elder statesman of Latin-jazz, El Conguero! Poncho Sanchez, all female big band Maiden Voyage with educator and saxophonist Ann Patterson and Tower of Power co-founder horn-mister Greg Adams.

BJJF is committed to perpetuating the musicianship of aspiring, students that reflect the diversity of expression and opportunities that define music today.

We believe that the lessons and qualities derived from that work—the self-discipline needed for excellence, the empathy required of music making and the openness and inquisitiveness essential to creativity—are critical to achievement in any pursuit, musical or otherwise; and that music is a powerful catalyst for personal growth, which is central to any collegiate experience.

We invite you to help us ‘Keep Jazz Alive’ for generations to come by contributing to the Blue Jay Jazz Education Programs.

The Next Generation Jazz Youth Initiative offers you multiple marketing benefits, and every investment in our partnerships and sponsorships is reinvested in the future of Jazz music.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT JAZZ EDUCATION IN OUR MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS