Listen to the sounds of modern jazz from Topeka's own 18-piece big band The Topeka Jazz Workshop. The band is a collection of musicians from NE Kansas dedicated to performing & promoting jazz music.
Founded in 1960, the TJWB is the oldest continuous community-based big band in the United States! In addition to performing live big band jazz, the TJWB operates the Topeka Youth Jazz Program, which provides jazz education and performance opportunities for middle and high school students in NE Kansas. Over the years, hundreds of talented young musicians have received scholarships to jazz camps all over the country thanks to the TJWB and the financial backing of Topeka Jazz Workshop, Inc.
More recently the Topeka Jazz Workshop Band has had the honor to play with current jazz stars like Byron Stripling, Mike Metheny, Bill Watrous and Wayne Hawkins. From its inception, the Topeka Jazz Workshop Band consisted of local musicians who often held other full time job but came together for the love of jazz. Currently under the direction of Ryan Simpson, director of bands at Seaman Middle School, that legacy continues.
The Topeka Jazz Workshop has been a prime factor in keeping jazz alive and well in Topeka and Northeast Kansas for five decades. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the local take on America’s original art form.
Music for a Sunday Afternoon is made possible by The Library Foundation through contributions from The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.
AGE GROUP: | Teens (6th - 12th Grade) | Elementary (K - 5th Grade) | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Music & Entertainment |
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