OUR STORY

Established in 2008, the Tucson Jazz Institute (TJI) was created to support Tucson area band directors and their programs as well as provide opportunities to middle and high school students across Southern Arizona to develop skills in instrumental jazz performance. Although housed in Utterback Middle School (a TUSD school), TJI is inclusive of all Tucson area districts and attracts students from as far away as Nogales and Sierra Vista. TJI's numerous large and small ensemble classes work to develop young musicians in various styles and approaches to America's unique and living art form, jazz.