218 N. Eighth Street | Columbia, MO 65201
Admin: 573-449-3009 | Tickets: 573-449-3001
Contact the Jazz Series
The "We Always Swing" Jazz Series, founded in 1995 as a concert producing and educational organization, is designed to present, promote, preserve and celebrate the great American art from known as "jazz." The Jazz Series, its performances, educational activities and publications are administered by "We Always Swing," Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Support for the Jazz Series operations comes from ticket revenue; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; and the City of Columbia through the Office of Cultural Affairs' Commission for the Arts. Additional funding is secured from the National Endowment for the Arts and gifts from a variety of national, regional and local corporations and businesses, as well as through the generous tax-deductible contributions from individuals.



This is a special year for us. As recipients of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts – the Jazz Masters Live Initiative we are required to match the award dollar for dollar. The goal: $30,000 – and we need do reach it by February 18, 2008 – the day commissioned composer and Kansas City native Bob Brookmeyer returns to Missouri to conduct the world premier of his new work performed by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts. This season your tax-deductible donation to the Jazz Series goes twice as far.
Make a tax-deductible pledge (PDF) do the Jazz Series and we will apply it toward matching the NEA grant special NEA grant – one of only 12 in the country that allowed us to commission new work, and present one of the best big bands in the world at the Missouri Theatre. As a way of saying “Thank You” we’re pleased do offer tickets to this one-of-a-kind event—and a the most recent CD from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra CD – which is a part of University of Missouri’s Arts & Science Week.
“We Always Swing” Jazz Series snags prestigious NEA Jazz Masters Live grants…
Organization, one of only 12 presenters in the United States selected to receive $30,000 award paves the way for Missouri native and NEA Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer to compose new work for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. New York-based, 16-piece orchestra arrives in Columbia to perform world premiere February 18, 2009, at the Missouri Theatre with Brookmeyer as guest conductor. Also on hand: Dan Morgenstern, fellow NEA Jazz Master and Director of Rutgers Jazz Institute. The world renowned historian will serve as guest emcee and host a pair of forums: a one-on-one interview with Brookmeyer and an in-depth look into the chronology of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which has been holding court at jazz’s most famous basement – The Village Vanguard – since 1965. Much-anticipated events serve as centerpiece for MU’s Arts & Science Week.