P.O. Box 170472, Milwaukee, 53217-0472
(414) 234-5565 | milwaukeejazzinstitute.org
Facebook: facebook.com/MilwaukeeJazzInstitute
Instagram: @milwaukeejazzinstitute
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/milwaukee-jazz-institute
Year founded: 2019
Mission statement: The Milwaukee Jazz Institute promotes jazz through education and performance, which we believe builds awareness of this art form’s ability to transform lives and strengthen our community. It is also why MJI seeks to expand and diversify the local jazz audience and create opportunities for professional and aspiring musicians.
Primary focus: We present concerts year-round at venues throughout the Milwaukee area. Performances this fall will feature MJI’s resident ensemble We Six, international trumpet and vocal star Benny Benack III, the acclaimed trio of Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart, and more. In addition, MJI monthly residencies at the Jazz Estate, Bar Centro and the Jazz Gallery feature faculty performances, student recitals and community jazz jam sessions. Educational opportunities for youth and adults include weekly ensembles, online improvisation and theory courses, Jazz Circle events (free and open to the public), an annual educational jazz festival and summer camps.
Employee count: Two staff members and 15 faculty artists
Key donors: Bader Philanthropies; Greater Milwaukee Foundation; UPAF; private donors
Executive leadership: Mark Davis, founder, artistic director and instructor; Erin LuRae Davis, managing director
Board of directors:
- Greg Marcus, board president and CEO of Marcus Corp.
- Bill Bonifas, board treasurer and executive VP at CBRE
- Lynn Lucius, board secretary and owner of Lynn Lucius Consulting
- Carl Brown, CEO of Fresh Coast Jazz
- Chris Crain, CEO of Better Project Awareness Foundation
- Erin Davis, managing director at MJI and CEO of In Its Place LLC
- Manty Ellis, jazz artist
- Brian Lynch, professor at Frost School of Music and CEO of Holistic MusicWorks
- Steve Tilton, attorney at Tilton & Tilton
Ways the business community can help: Subscribe to the MJI website, attend an MJI event, sponsor a performance and donate to help us provide more student scholarships and free events for the public.
Key fundraising events:
- Annual year-end campaign
- Pat Petry Celebration Concert, benefiting the Pat Petry Scholarship Fund
