Jazz Bridges

American Voices' Jazz Bridges program unites exceptional jazz talents from the U.S. with local musicians worldwide, celebrating the rich tapestry of jazz's origins and its role as a cultural bridge. Originating in the American South, jazz emerged from African-American musical traditions, blending spirituals, ragtime, and the blues. Our Jazz from J to Z concert series illuminates this journey, engaging audiences globally with the vibrant history and essence of jazz. Over the past two decades, our Jazz Bridges programs have fostered collaborations in diverse locations like Burma, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Thailand, embodying jazz's enduring legacy as a vehicle for cultural exchange and diplomacy. Through workshops and initiatives like the YES Academy, American Voices cultivates aspiring jazz musicians, enriching communities and fostering creative connections worldwide.