Juilliard Jazz Society chairman Gayle Perkins Atkins (far left) with Angelique and James Francis and President Joseph Polisi. (Photo by Nan Melville)

November 27 was a momentous day for jazz lovers as The Juilliard School launched its newest membership group, the Juilliard Jazz Society. Nearly 70 charter members of the society celebrated the occasion with a festive dinner on the stage of the Juilliard Theater. Before dinner, Jazz Society members were treated to a private concert with members of the School’s stellar jazz faculty performing alongside students from the Institute for Jazz Studies. Led by the director of Jazz Studies, Victor Goines, the concert showcased the remarkable depth of talent among the new jazz students.

Performing with Mr. Goines were faculty members Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, Carl Allen on drums, Kenny Barron on piano, and guest artist Carlos Henriquez on bass, along with jazz students Justin Kisor and Brandon Lee (trumpets), Jennifer Krupa (trombone), Daniel Kaufman (piano), Ulysses Owens (drums), and Craig Polasko (bass).

The celebration was hosted by President Joseph Polisi and the chairman of the Juilliard Jazz Society, Gayle Perkins Atkins. In their welcoming remarks, President Polisi and Mrs. Atkins expressed their warm thanks for the generosity of the charter members, as did Bruce Kovner, chairman of Juilliard’s Board of Trustees.

Students and faculty from the Institute for Jazz Studies performing on the stage of the Juilliard Theater on November 27. (Photo by Nan Melville)

The Juilliard Jazz Society was established to provide financial assistance for the exceptional young musicians of the Institute for Jazz Studies. Members receive a variety of special benefits throughout the year such as invitations to master classes with internationally renowned jazz performers, prime seating at jazz performances, and an invitation to the annual dinner. Membership in the group also allows jazz aficionados to be part of the dynamic community at Juilliard and to learn firsthand about the educational and artistic development of tomorrow’s jazz leaders.

For more information about the Juilliard Jazz Society, please call Karen Raven at (212) 799-5000, ext. 278.

Lori Bierly is assistant director of major and planned gifts.