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Since 2005, KNKX's School of Jazz has provided mentorship, learning and performance opportunities to Western Washington middle school, high school and college jazz students. A cornerstone of the station's signature community outreach program, it has directly impacted thousands of jazz students, band directors and professional musicians. School of Jazz is sponsored by BECU.

KPLU School of Jazz is back in session

Several of Western Washington’s finest high school jazz bands and jazz professionals are showcased on KPLU School of Jazz-Volume 8, the station’s latest CD release which is the culmination of this year’s mentoring project.

Buy your copy of KPLU School of Jazz now

In 2005, as part of its continuing support of music education in the schools, KPLU developed a mentoring program involving bands from 10 high schools and one middle school, and the participation of 11 local jazz professionals.  The fruits of this partnership yielded the first KPLU School of Jazz CD release.

Beginning with Volume 2 (2006), the project has included only high school jazz bands.  Each year, a core group of bands from the inaugural group is featured on the project along with one or two new participating school jazz bands and guest artists.

The complete list of participants on KPLU School of Jazz – Volume 8 (2012): Stadium High School (Tacoma), North Thurston High School (Olympia), Jackson High School (Mill Creek), Bellevue High School (Bellevue), Mount Si High School (Snoqualmie), Mercer Island High School (Mercer Island), Roosevelt High School (Seattle), Mountlake Terrace High School (Mountlake Terrace), Edmonds Woodway High School (Edmonds), Mount Vernon High School (Mount Vernon), Kentwood High School (Kent) and the advanced ensemble from Seattle JazzED under the direction of Clarence Acox.

Guests artists included on KPLU School of Jazz – Volume 8: Mark Taylor, Anton Schwartz, Matso Limtiaco, Jeff Hay, Greta Matassa, Stuart MacDonald, Syd Potter, Dawn Clement, Tracy Knoop, Jim Sisko and Steve Treseler. All proceeds benefit Western Washington school music programs.

KPLU School of Jazz – Volume 8includes songs by Joey Calderazzo, Radiohead, Fred Sturm, Cole Porter, John Green, Neal Hefti, Astor Piazzolla and Matso Limtiaco.

KPLU School of Jazz – Volume 8 is now available for purchase beginning at the School of Jazz website, schoolofjazz.org.