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Jazz Scholarship Available for 2021-22 school year! Apply NOW!
Jazz Outreach Initiative is honored to announce a college jazz scholarship opportunity open now for applications. Through the generosity...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
Nov 8, 20201 min read


Announcing Mrs. Juliana McRae, Secretary, JOI Board of Directors
Jazz Outreach Initiative is pleased to announce our third in a series of announcements spotlighting the growth from a working board to a...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
Oct 10, 20202 min read


Announcing Mr. Daniel B. Philippus, CPA, Treasurer, JOI Board of Directors
Jazz Outreach Initiative is pleased to announce our second in a series of announcements spotlighting the growth from a working board to a...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
Oct 6, 20202 min read


Announcing Mr. Curt Miller, Vice President, JOI Board of Directors
We are pleased to announce the first in our series spotlighting our growth from a working board to a governing board with our new Vice...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
Sep 26, 20203 min read


JOI awards the first Richard Salvatore Soranno Memorial Scholarship for Jazz to Ilai Macaggi
Richard Salvatore Soranno, age 18, was a gifted musician who attended the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, performing as a jazz pianist in...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 21, 20203 min read


Las Vegas Youth Jazz Orchestra Does Its First Recording! Wayne Shorter's "Armageddon!"
When it became clear that schools were going to be closing and that the newly formed Las Vegas Youth Jazz Orchestra was going to have to...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 14, 20202 min read


JOI's Gary Cordell Interviews virtuoso drummer, bandleader, composer, and educator - Sherri Maricle
In this column, JOI Vice President Gary Cordell asks questions to well-known jazz artists. The artist featured here is American...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 12, 20207 min read


From Kenny’s Desk
“It’s about the journey, not the destination” is a phrase I find myself using quite a bit when speaking with students during these times....
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 12, 20203 min read


Las Vegas Youth Jazz Orchestra Does Its First Recording, "Armaggedon," by Wayne Shorter
By Kenny Rampton, May 3, 2020 When it became clear that schools were going to be closing and that the newly formed Las Vegas Youth Jazz...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 3, 20202 min read


“THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT – ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT”
That brings us to you, our loyal and devoted fans and supporters. JOI has no paid staff, utilities, rent, or other overhead costs which...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 2, 20202 min read


“LAS VEGAS YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA" Launches in Southern Nevada
JOI has wanted to create a youth jazz orchestra since our inception in 2017, bringing together student musicians of all demographics and...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 2, 20202 min read


"BUZZIN’ IN BRASS" and "JAZZ FOR YOUNG PEOPLE CONCERTS”
Back again for this school year, were our two highly engaging and ever popular educational outreach programs, “Buzzin’ in Brass” and...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 2, 20201 min read


“LAS VEGAS’ ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND FESTIVAL”
The collaboration between JOI and UNLV helped bring Las Vegas this 3rd Annual festival. UNLV, under the outstanding leadership of Dean...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 2, 20202 min read


“JOI OF GIVING FALL CAMPAIGN”
JOI concluded a multi-week fall giving campaign on “Giving Tuesday” in December at a special campaign-ending jazz dinner event held at...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 2, 20202 min read
From Donny's Desk - Reflections on Covid-19 and the Healing Power of Music
“Music is very spiritual. It has the power to bring people together.” – Edgar Winter Friends of JOI, as I write this newsletter to...
Donny Thompson, M.S., NPA
May 2, 20202 min read


RAVE REVIEWS FOR THE CHARLEY DAVIS TRUMPET CLINIC
Saturday, August 24, 2019, JOI sponsored and hosted legendary trumpeter, Charley Davis in Doc Rando Recital Hall on the campus of UNLV Schoo
Alireza Farahi
Sep 3, 20192 min read


KENNY RAMPTON TO SOLO WITH LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC
I am so excited about being a guest composer/performer on this concert (see the link below) in Las Vegas on October 12th!!! I’ll be performi
Alireza Farahi
Aug 30, 20191 min read


JOI Hosts First “Jazz Awareness Soiree”
Jazz Outreach Initiative hosted its first “Jazz Awareness Soiree” at the home of Executive Director Donny Thompson on August 5, 2019. The
Alireza Farahi
Aug 6, 20193 min read


ASK THE ARTIST - WYNTON MARSALIS
In this column, JOI will be asking YOUR questions to well-known jazz artists.
The first artist featured here is American virtuoso trumpeter
Alireza Farahi
Jul 12, 20194 min read


JOI and AFM
Las Vegas Live, presented on June 22, 2019, Jazz Outreach Initiative (JOI) was pleased to partner with the American Federation of Musicians
Alireza Farahi
Jul 12, 20192 min read
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