Our faculty is led by Managing and Artistic Director Eli Yamin, Senior Dance Teacher and Advisor Mickey Davidson, and Senior Voice Teacher Antoinette Montague.
Jazz Power Initiative (JPI), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization engages thousands of New Yorkers and visitors annually – students, teachers, artists, and general audiences, in jazz music education and performances, building more creative communities. Jazz Power Initiative (JPI), a non profit, 501 (c) (3) organization, serves over 3100 New Yorkers and visitors annually – students, teachers, art
ists, seniors and general audiences, ages 8-80+, to promote youth development, and build more creative and inclusive communities through jazz music, theater and dance education and performance. Led by highly experienced teaching artists who are award-winning jazz, theater and dance professionals, JPI offers multidisciplinary training, scholarships and performance opportunities to New York City youth, ages 8-19, from every economic and social milieu through our “open-door” policy, with extended outreach to students in under-served New York City public schools in Northern Manhattan. We currently engage over 500 students and their teachers annually, providing after-school instruction mainly in Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood (where our offices are located) and the Bronx. Our youth education and community programs include after-school jazz workshops in music, dance and theatre online and at the United Palace in Washington Heights, private voice and piano keyboard lessons online and at our home studio in Inwood; our monthly Intergenerational Jazz Power Jam online and at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem; local community senior center workshops, and our annual Jazz Power Institute for artists and educators online and at Lehman College, City University in New York in the Bronx. Guest artists in our youth education and community programs include vocalists Catherine Russell, Charenee Wade, and Sweet Honey in the Rock founding members Carol Maillard and Louise Robinson; saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin, Camille Thurman (sax and vocal), Chris Byars, Jon Irabagon, Claire Daly, and Sun Ra Arkestra member Knoel Scott; Duke Ellington Orchestra trumpeters James Zollar, Mark McGowan and drummer David F. Gibson; and creative artist/educators Ray Anderson, trombone Bob Stewart, tuba, Curtis Stewart, violin; Latin Jazz band leaders Steven Oquendo, trumpet, Annette Aguilar, percussion, Dancers Mickey Davidson, Shireen Dickson and Okra Dance, Ximena Salgado and Rumbamena, Max Pollak and Rumba Tap. The Jazz Power House Trio is Eli Yamin, piano, Jennifer Vincent, bass and Dwayne “Cook” Broadnax, drums. Performance venues include Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, The United Palace in Washington Heights, and New York City Parks.
06/23/2026
🎵 Meet Craig Harris
Trombonist, composer, educator, and cultural innovator Craig Harris is known for creating bold, interdisciplinary work that connects music, history, storytelling, and community. His decades-long career has made him a respected voice in both jazz performance and arts education. Join Craig Harris at the Jazz Power Institute for Artists and Educators, July 8–9 at Lehman College.
This year's theme, "To Be Real: Creativity and Connection Through Composing and Arranging," invites participants to deepen their creative practice while discovering new ways to engage learners through culturally authentic artistic experiences.
Open to artists, educators, teaching artists, composers, performers, and band directors. Register FREE at bit.ly/jazzpowerinstitute26
06/20/2026
🎺 Meet Bob Stewart
A groundbreaking tubist, composer, and educator, Bob Stewart has spent decades expanding the role of the tuba in jazz and creative music. His innovative artistry and deep commitment to education have inspired musicians around the world.
This summer, Bob joins the faculty of the Jazz Power Institute for Artists and Educators, July 8–9 at Lehman College.
Under this year's theme, "To Be Real: Creativity and Connection Through Composing and Arranging," participants will explore authentic artistic expression through collaborative workshops, creative exploration, and practical strategies for teaching and learning through jazz.
Artists, educators, composers, performers, and band directors are all welcome register now for FREE at bit.ly/jazzpowerinstitute26
06/18/2026
5 Artists That Shaped The Sound of Music 🎶
The music you hear today didn’t happen by accident. It was shaped, note by note, by artists like Nina Simone, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and Robert Johnson. Each of them expanded what music could be, influencing jazz, blues, rock, and beyond.
From improvisation and composition to electric guitar and storytelling, their impact is still heard in the music we listen to today. You may not know all of their names, but you have certainly heard their influence.
At JPI, we honor this legacy by connecting students and communities to the roots of jazz and its cultural foundations.
🎶 Join us in learning, listening, and keeping this music alive!
05/31/2026
PREMIERING Jazz Power Initiative: Building Great Lives, Together. Link in bio. This short film shares how Jazz Power Initiative uses jazz education, mentorship, performance, and community to help create brighter futures for youth, families, artists, and audiences across our community.
Today is also the final day of our Syncopated Giving Matching Challenge. Thanks to The Rothman Family Foundation, every gift made before midnight will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
🎥 Watch the film
❤️ Make a matched gift
🎟️ Final day for raffle tickets
05/29/2026
🎷 One raffle ticket = support for youth performances, music education, mentorship, and community programming at Jazz Power Initiative.
And yes... you might walk away with an amazing prize too. 😉
Purchase your ticket at jazzpower.org/celebration before Sunday at Midnight and help keep the music going.
05/28/2026
Join us Monday, June 1 at City Winery NYC for A Classical and Jazz Celebration of America at 250, presented by WQXR, WBGO, and WSHU!
We’re especially proud to see our very own Zah! Ensemble with Maki Nientao on piano sharing the stage with acclaimed artists Anthony McGill, Lara Downes, and Lezlie Harrison in an unforgettable evening celebrating American music and community.
Come support these incredible young artists from Uptown NYC as they represent the next generation of jazz ambassadors! Tickets available at bit.ly/WBGOJPI
05/26/2026
Calling all artists & educators!
Join us for the Jazz Power Institute 2026, a free two-day immersive experience designed for musicians, teaching artists, and educators across disciplines. This year’s theme: “To Be Real: Creativity & Connection Through Composing & Arranging”, invites participants to explore how creative voice and authenticity can shape both artistic practice and teaching.
Through hands-on workshops, collaborative sessions, and dialogue with an incredible lineup of featured artists: Bob Stewart, Craig Harris, Antoinette Montague, Paul Corn, Alberto Toro and Dr. Eli Yamin, you’ll gain new tools to bring composition and arranging into your work, whether in the classroom or on stage.
Connect, create, and grow with a vibrant community of artists.
🔗 Register now at: bit.ly/jazzpowerinstitute26
05/22/2026
To everyone who joined us for Jazz Power Initiative’s 2026 Syncopated Celebration at Symphony Space, thank you! Your presence, generosity, and energy made the evening truly special and help sustain our mission to create transformative opportunities through jazz arts education and performance.
If you weren’t able to attend, or would like to continue supporting our work, there’s still time to make an impact. Thanks to the Rothman Family Foundation, all gifts made before May 31 will be matched 1:1. Raffle tickets are also still available (with the drawing taking place on June 1). Visit jazzpower.org/celebration for more information
06/23/2026
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