What Students Learn
Future Jazz Ensembles and Combos focus on the musical and personal skills students need on and off the bandstand.
Mission Statement
The mission of Future Jazz KC is to cultivate, expand, and enrich the community for jazz and improvised music through education, performance, and artistic development.
Developing the musicianship of our students is the foundation of our curriculum. We believe the lessons learned through hard work, listening, empathy, creativity, and collaboration are valuable far beyond music.
Jazz teaches students how to think, respond, lead, support, and take risks. Those skills matter on the bandstand, in the classroom, and in life.
Our Story
Future Jazz KC was founded in 2015 by Artistic Director Marcus Lewis. What began as a summer jazz camp quickly grew into a larger vision: creating a year-round jazz education community for young musicians in Kansas City.
The original goal was simple — give students meaningful performance experience, access to professional musicians, a deeper understanding of jazz, and a place to connect with other serious young musicians.
That vision continues today through ensembles, combos, concerts, workshops, mentorship, and community partnerships.
Join the Future Jazz KC Community
Whether you are a student, parent, band director, donor, or community partner, Future Jazz KC exists to help young musicians grow.