Institute’s Peer-to-Peer Quintet presents Jazz Education Tour to Kansas Public Schools, May 12-16
Featuring Internationally Renowned Recording Artists BOBBY WATSON and LISA HENRY
Washington, DC – With lead funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and United Airlines, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz will bring its acclaimed Peer-to-Peer jazz education program to Kansas public schools May 12-16, 2025. This unique initiative blends live performance with interactive education through engaging “informances” presented by the Institute’s National Peer-to-Peer Jazz Quintet – a select group of five of the nation’s most talented high school jazz musicians. They’ll be joined by saxophone legend Bobby Watson, vocal sensation Lisa Henry, and renowned jazz educator Dr. JB Dyas.
Each school visit will include a performance assembly for the entire student body, followed by in-depth workshops with each school’s jazz band and choir. During these sessions, the visiting student performers will collaborate with their Kansas counterparts – sharing insights, improvising together, and fostering musical and cultural exchange.
“We’ve found that sometimes young people can learn about certain things better from kids their same age, and one of those things is jazz,” said jazz icon Herbie Hancock, Institute Chairman, NEA Jazz Master, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. “When you hear how accomplished these young musicians are, you know their peers are going to listen.”
In addition to performing at a remarkably high level, the student musicians will speak with their peers about the history and significance of jazz as an American art form. They’ll explore how a jazz ensemble embodies the values of democracy, teamwork, diversity, perseverance,and self-expression. These themes, when delivered peer to peer, resonate deeply with young audiences.
This year’s all-star quintet includes: trumpeter Quentin Stafford (17) from Houston, trombonist Kysen Ellis (18) from Dallas, pianist Kian Liman (18) from Reston, VA, bassist Landon Hollman (15) from Los Angeles, and drummer Noah Kabia (16) from Baltimore.
“We’ve learned so much preparing Mr. Watson’s music,” said Stafford. “It covers the full gamut – everything from blues and bebop to modern jazz; he does it all like nobody else.”
Immediately following the informances, Watson, Henry, and Dyas will conduct jazz workshops for each host school’s jazz band and choir. The visiting students will play side-by-side with their Kansas counterparts, providing tutelage peer to peer. In these sessions, both musical and personal growth are fostered through the powerful dynamic of peer learning, echoing the mentorship traditions of jazz history. The students will also learn about each other’s cities and culture.
“This will be my first time experiencing America’s heartland,” said bassist Hollman. “Clean air, wide open spaces, no traffic – and it’s the birthplace of Charlie Parker!”
The tour will culminate in a public concert on Saturday, May 17 at 5:00 PM at The Blue Room in Kansas City, MO (1600 E 18th St) where Kansas City residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a memorable evening with Bobby Watson, Lisa Henry, and the next generation of jazz talent. The group will perform a mix of standards, jazz classics, and selections from Watson’s and Henry’s recent recordings. For further information, call 816-474-8463 or visit https://americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS & EDUCATORS
Bobby Watson is one of the top alto saxophonists in the world. He grew up in Kansas City, studied formally at the University of Miami, and then moved to New York where he was to become a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, one of the most important groups in the history of jazz. He later formed Horizon, the quintessential contemporary hard bop quintet of the 1980s and ’90s. Known for his extraordinary ability to play swing, hard bop, and contemporary jazz, Watson has appeared at every major venue and jazz festival worldwide and has recorded more than 100 albums as a leader, sideman, or guest artist. He is also one of the most gifted and prolific composers of his generation (with more than 100 recorded compositions to his credit) and is the recipient of numerous national and international awards and citations, including being named #1 Alto Sax Player and Musician of the Year in DownBeat Magazine’s Critic’s Poll. Besides being an internationally acclaimed performer and composer, Watson is an esteemed jazz educator and enjoys working with up-and-coming young jazz artists. He serves as Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and continues to present jazz workshops around the globe. His latest recording, Back Home in Kansas City (Smoke Session Records), has received critical acclaim. www.bobbywatson.com
Lisa Henry is a dynamic vocalist with a combination of swingin’ cool and down-home class. A Kansas City native, she began by singing gospel music in the Baptist church, and by age 12 was singing the music of Billie Holiday and Miles Davis. Henry was a winner of the Herbie Hancock Institute’s International Jazz Vocals Competition and was later named an International Jazz Ambassador to Africa. She toured Chile, Argentina, and Peru with the Institute, performing for 34 Heads of State at the Summit of the Americas. She also participated in a U.S. State Department-sponsored tour of India and performed for an esteemed presidential dinner at the White House, celebrating the Institute’s 20th Anniversary. Over the past 25 years, Henry has toured the globe, sharing the stage with such artists as Ambrose Akinmusire, Kenny Barron, Don Braden, Bobby Broom, Gerald Clayton, Robin Eubanks, Kenny Garrett, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Ingrid Jensen, Sean Jones, Kevin Mahogany, Delfeayo Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Terell Stafford, Bobby Watson, and Steve Wilson. Her Live from 18th and Vine recording continues to resonate with audiences around the world. www.lisahenryjazz.com
Dr. JB Dyas has been a leader in jazz education for the past two decades. Formerly the Executive Director of the Brubeck Institute, Dyas currently serves as Vice President for Education and Curriculum Development at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. He oversees the Institute’s education and outreach programs including Jazz In America: The National Jazz Curriculum (www.jazzinamerica.org), one of the most significant and wide-reaching jazz education programs in the world. Throughout his career, he has performed across the country, taught students at every level, directed large and small ensembles, and developed and implemented new jazz curricula. He has written for DownBeat magazine and other national music publications, presented numerous jazz workshops, teacher-training seminars and jazz “informances” around the globe with such renowned artists as Dave Brubeck and Herbie Hancock, and created a series of teacher-training jazz education videos. Dr. Dyas received his master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami and PhD in Music Education from Indiana University, and is a recipient of the DownBeat Achievement Award for Jazz Education.
ABOUT THE HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ
The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is a nonprofit education organization with a mission to offer the world’s most promising young musicians college level training by internationally acclaimed jazz masters and to present public school music education programs for young people around the world. The Institute preserves, perpetuates and expands jazz as a global art form, and utilizes jazz as a means to unite people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. All of the Institute’s programs are provided free of charge to students, schools and communities worldwide. The Institute’s programs use jazz as the medium to encourage imaginative thinking, creativity, a positive self-image, and respect for one’s own and others’ cultural heritage. Jazz great Herbie Hancock serves as the Institute’s chairman. www.hancockinstitute.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ PROGRAM
The Herbie Hancock Institute’s National Performing Arts High School Jazz Program facilitates the education of gifted music students who attend public performing arts high schools across the nation. The Program offers them opportunities to participate in pre-conservatory, highly specialized, performance-based jazz curricula; study with some of the world’s most eminent jazz artists and educators; perform in jazz ensembles comprising their peers; and prepare for entry into the country’s most distinguished conservatories and university schools of music. Included is instruction in Jazz Improvisation, Theory, Composition, History, and Styles and Analysis. The Institute works with each school in developing jazz curricula and instructional methodology; provides ongoing private and group instruction with Institute teaching staff, visiting artists and educators; offers special residences with jazz masters; arranges high-profile performance opportunities for the student ensembles; and helps graduating seniors secure college scholarships.
ABOUT THE PEER-TO-PEER JAZZ EDUCATION INITIATIVE
Through the Herbie Hancock Institute’s National Peer-to-Peer Jazz Education Initiative, which receives lead funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and United Airlines, outstanding music students from public performing arts high schools across the nation are invited to participate in weeklong peer-to-peer jazz informance tours. The young musicians gain invaluable performance experience playing alongside internationally acclaimed artists while they, in turn, help educate young audiences in public schools throughout the U.S. about jazz, America’s indigenous musical art form. In so doing, they not only help develop jazz audiences for the future, but also exemplify the deeply held American values that jazz represents: teamwork, unity with ethnic diversity, democracy, persistence and perseverance, and the vital importance of really listening to one another.
* Media Days/VIP Concerts
- Topeka – Monday, May 12 • 10:25 am Assembly Program / 12:30pm Jazz Band & Vocal Workshops – Topeka High School, 800 SW 10th St, Topeka, KS 66612
- Opening remarks by special guests Michael Padilla, Mayor, City of Topeka; and Dr. Randy Watson, Commissioner, Kansas State Department of Education
- Kansas City – Friday, May 16 • 1:20 pm Assembly Program – Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, 1610 N 8th St, Kansas City, KS 66101
For more information, full-length bios and photos, or to schedule an interview with the artists and/or students, please contact: JB Dyas at jbdyas@hancockinstitute.org or 323-270-3904.