Jazz Outreach Initiative is keeping Las Vegas’ rich jazz tradition alive while cultivating the musicians of tomorrow. From free youth education and professional jam sessions to an exciting calendar of concerts and festivals, JOI is preparing for a busy season—and its approaching 10th anniversary. Discover how the organization connects music with life while reaching nearly 10,000 local young people each year.
The Canyon, also known as the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California, was transformed into a celebration of funk, soul and musical history on Saturday, April 4, 2026, as Larry Dunn, a Grammy-winning original member of Earth, Wind & Fire, brought his "Anthology of Earth, Wind & Fire" to a sold-out and electrified crowd.
From her early days as a self-taught musician to becoming a celebrated television host and producer, Laura McKenzie has left an indelible mark on the travel television genre and the cultural fabric of Hollywood. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated creativity, adaptability and a deep commitment to giving back — both on screen and in her community.
John Parenti's story begins in New Jersey, where a childhood encounter with music set the course for his life. At 4 years old, he walked in on his older brother's band and something ignited within him. "I saw the drummer in particular, and I knew I was going to do music for the rest of my life," Parenti remembers. Encouraged by his family, he received his first snare drum and later a drum set. The young boy practiced diligently and immersed himself in learning music.
From the moment I picked up Bryan Thompson years ago from his hotel in San Diego, I knew he was meant for stardom. It seemed to illuminate around him. He had moved from Indianapolis to Southern California, eager to make his name in the contemporary jazz community, and I had been asked, as a music journalist, to take this talented sax player under my wing.
In the story of American music, some careers are defined not by a single genre or moment but by the way they weave across traditions, cultures and eras. Laura Taylor's path, spanning classical roots, disco success, platinum-record songwriting and a distinguished career in jazz, embodies that journey. Her voice, once heard selling Buicks and beckoning travelers to "Fly the Friendly Skies," would go on to resonate in recording studios, concert halls and classrooms.
After retiring as the founding music director and conductor laureate of the Las Vegas Philharmonic in 2007, Hal Weller didn't exactly lay down his baton. Two years later, he launched FAYM — the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians — as an organization to offer scholarships and mentoring to young, rising-star musicians pursuing their careers.
A.J. Croce brought his unique artistry to The Town Hall in Times Square on Oct. 24, 2025, blending his humor, warmth and storytelling with the legacy of his father, Jim Croce. Through a thoughtfully crafted narrative and a mix of original songs and his father’s classics, A.J. guided the audience on an intimate journey through generational musical history, highlighting both the connections and distinctions between father and son.
Tucked away in the woods of Redding, Connecticut, is Studio Unicorn, a magical hideaway where four-time Grammy winner Paul Avgerinos daily alchemizes his diverse forms of musical composition. While his passion and focus center on composing and playing New Age music, his talent is expansive: a multi-instrumentalist, engineer and producer composing and licensing music for film and TV, with a catalog of more than 9,000 tracks and over 300 million streaming listeners.
David Benoit's creative spirit burst forth as he composed "The Three-Finger Waltz" at age 6 and, at 11, wrote a composition for bassoon and harpsichord. Music seemed to flow through Benoit's veins because his father, Robert Bryan Benoit, played jazz guitar and exposed his son to jazz music.
