Jazz in the Middle
Jazz In The Middle

Jazz In The Middle

Established in 2001, Jazz In the Middle (JIM) sends jazz musicians and poets into middle school humanities classrooms to unlock the proud history of jazz from a social, historical, and creative perspective. Offered free to public middle schools, the JIM curriculum complies with government guidelines and district content standards in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classrooms.

Through the process of collaboration JIM explores connections to the African Diaspora, focusing on our shared experiences and cultures. Participants create work inspired by our collective past and present while developing leadership and teambuilding skills. SFJAZZ believes everyone is a creative agent for change. We believe the practice of art and music expresses our common language, builds community, transforms lives, and develops creative thinkers. 

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SFJAZZ believes everyone is a creative agent for change.

SFJAZZ Education Online

Sign up here to access curriculum materials, exclusive concerts, masterclasses, lesson plans, lectures, and more designed for current and future musicians and audiences. All resources come from the Education team at SFJAZZ, who serve thousands of adults and youth across the Bay Area. Sign up and learn how jazz is alive and thriving!

*All information is confidential. SFJAZZ Education will never share your information with others. For questions, email [email protected].

SFJAZZ Education Online

Sign up here to access curriculum materials, exclusive concerts, masterclasses, lesson plans, lectures, and more designed for current and future musicians and audiences. All resources come from the Education team at SFJAZZ, who serve thousands of adults and youth across the Bay Area. Sign up and learn how jazz is alive and thriving!

*All information is confidential. SFJAZZ Education will never share your information with others. For questions, email [email protected].

BLUES & POETRY

Led by SFJAZZ teaching artists, this residency links the history of blues and poetry to language arts curriculum. While making connections to our common heritage students explore the foundations and history of American jazz, blues, poetry, and spoken word by studying important figures and styles. Combining interactive musical activities with literacy skills development, students create their own spoken word performance to present on their final day backed by a live jazz trio.

BLUES & POETRY

Led by SFJAZZ teaching artists, this residency links the history of blues and poetry to language arts curriculum. While making connections to our common heritage students explore the foundations and history of American jazz, blues, poetry, and spoken word by studying important figures and styles. Combining interactive musical activities with literacy skills development, students create their own spoken word performance to present on their final day backed by a live jazz trio.

FREEDOM & JAZZ

Students explore the foundations of American jazz and roots music to discover how these forms reflect our common heritage, also connecting to the music's social and cultural movements. Students observe and play a variety of rhythms as they create a collective song of resistance.

FREEDOM & JAZZ

Students explore the foundations of American jazz and roots music to discover how these forms reflect our common heritage, also connecting to the music's social and cultural movements. Students observe and play a variety of rhythms as they create a collective song of resistance.

Jazz & The American Experience

This residency helps students understand the resilience of the American spirit and how that spirit is reflected in the evolution of jazz. Students explore the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Civil Rights Era through a series of interactive exercises. Working with SFJAZZ teaching artists in music and improvisational theater, students create original music, stories, and learn to improvise.

Jazz & The American Experience

This residency helps students understand the resilience of the American spirit and how that spirit is reflected in the evolution of jazz. Students explore the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Civil Rights Era through a series of interactive exercises. Working with SFJAZZ teaching artists in music and improvisational theater, students create original music, stories, and learn to improvise.

Jazz in the Middle continues to be an important part of my journey. I was blessed to have amazingly passionate teachers and I want to pass that same love of music on to as many others as I can.

Terrence Brewer, JIM Teaching Artist

Jazz in the Middle continues to be an important part of my journey. I was blessed to have amazingly passionate teachers and I want to pass that same love of music on to as many others as I can.

Terrence Brewer, JIM Teaching Artist

Watch & Listen

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