Season 2 Episode 23 Jazz Empowers

ANDREW JOHNSTON is an accomplished trombonist who has performed with jazz greats such as Terrell Stafford, Jeff Hamilton, and Phil Woods. He is also EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER of an organization called JAZZ EMPOWERS, a non-profit organization that’s mission is to transform the lives of youth in underserved schools through jazz education.  

Jazz Empowers fulfills this mission by partnering with underserved schools across the country, helping them to start and develop jazz programs. They are driven by a belief that every child in America has the right to a high-quality music education. They teach jazz because it is rooted in improvisation which maximizes students’ creativity and self-expression, and has the power to transform students’ lives intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Their vision is that one day all students in America will have the opportunity to learn, love and play jazz. 

Andrew taught music and math at an underserved high school in Nashville. He founded Jazz Empowers in 2014 after seeing the major need for jazz programs in underserved schools, and in 2015 launched a pilot program in two schools in Nashville. Since the launch of the pilot program, he’s led the organization to significant growth. Jazz Empowers currently serves 1400 students in 26 states and Andrew has raised over $650,000 for jazz education and amassed an impressive volunteer Advisory Board including Miguel Zenon, Terell Stafford, Dave Douglas,Michael Dease, Jon Irabagon, Ted Nash, Allison Miller, Lakecia Benjamin, Jeff Coffin, and Bob Mintzer.