To kick off its “Jazzin’ Around 7” event Friday, December 7, the youth development nonprofit Memphis Challenge, in partnership with Memphis Music Initiative, hosted the “Memphis Challenge Jazz-Jam Invitational for High School Band and Orchestra Students ” master classes. In a private, invite-only setting, high school band and orchestra students from schools across Memphis communed and learned. Students with a musical focus in String, Woodwind, or Brass instruments attended the classes at G.E. Patterson Family Life Youth Center, 369 G.E. Patterson Ave, Memphis, TN.

From 10:00am-1:00pm, students learned from renowned jazz artists Johnny Britt (heard in “La La Land, “Hidden Figures,” and “Creed II”), Lila Hood (featured with Lady Gaga, Three 6 Mafia, etc.), and Bill Hurd (performed with Kirk Whalum, Isaac Hayes, etc.). Each class provided students with the opportunity to receive up-close and personal instruction.

Information regarding the Jazz Jam Invitational 2021 coming soon.