Los Angeles Jazz Society

Name

Los Angeles Jazz Society

Legal name

Los Angeles Jazz Society

Website

https://lajazz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAHAC

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAMANAE

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Music Education (Instrumental & Vocal)

SECONDARYEDAMAAAE

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Arts & Creative Enrichment (Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Dance)

SECONDARYEDAMANAC

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Music Education (Instrumental & Vocal)

Keywords

• Jazz education programs
• Arts nonprofit services
• Music mentorship programs
• Cultural education programs
• Community arts events

Headquarters

HQ city

Van Nuys

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $25 for students to $150 for organizations, providing card benefits, event discounts, newsletter access, and recognition.
2. Donations and grants: Support from foundations and individual donors including Adler Deutsch Foundation, Herb Alpert Foundation, MPTF, Music Man Foundation, DCA, LAC Arts and Culture, California Arts Commission, and Ella Foundation.
3. Event revenue: Ticket sales from concerts and events. Most income from events is directed to education programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Los Angeles Jazz Society delivers jazz education programs, performance showcases, mentorship initiatives, and community concerts across the Greater Los Angeles area. Its core offerings include the Jazz in Schools program for elementary students, the Bill Green Mentorship Program for young musicians, composer commission awards, and annual events such as the Young Musicians Showcase, International Vibe Summit, and Jazz Tribute Awards Concert. The organization is sustained by individual memberships, donations, and grants from foundations and government arts bodies.

Product overview

The Los Angeles Jazz Society operates as a unified portfolio of jazz education and performance programs, centered on nurturing young musicians and preserving jazz heritage. The core offerings include the Young Musicians Showcase series for emerging artists, the Bill Green Mentorship Program for intensive student development, and the Jazz in Schools initiative for elementary education. Additional programs include the Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award for composers, the International Vibe Summit for vibraphone players, and annual awards concerts including the Jazz Tribute Awards and LA Jazz Treasure Award. Membership tiers from $25-$150 support these initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jazz in Schools Free educational program offering age-appropriate live jazz performances to LAUSD elementary schools during Black History Month, reaching over 20,000 children annually across all 15 City Council districts and 30 to 45 schools per year. Targeted at public school students who would otherwise have limited exposure to live jazz.
• Bill Green Mentorship Program Annual mentorship program providing promising young jazz musicians ages 12 to 18 with 5 weeks of intensive lessons from professional jazz musicians, ensemble workshops, a final concert at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, and a professional recording session. Over 30 students are mentored annually.
• Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award Annual commission award supporting young emerging jazz composers by providing commissions for new works that are premiered at local jazz venues as part of the Angel City Arts Festival.
• Young Musicians Showcase Monthly showcase series featuring emerging young jazz artists performing live, allowing them to gain exposure with professional production support. Events are accessible both virtually via Zoom and in person via Universe.com ticketing.
• International Vibe Summit Annual summit gathering vibraphone players from around the world, held both in-person at World Stage in Leimert Park and virtually via Zoom, celebrating the vibraphone and its players.
• Jazz Tribute Awards & Concert Annual awards concert honoring prominent jazz artists for their contributions to the art form, featuring performances and recognition of excellence in jazz. 2025 honorees included Christian McBride and Patrice Rushen.
• LAJS Membership Program Annual membership program with six tiers ranging from $25 (Student/Musician) to $150 (Organization/Corporate), including benefits such as membership card, advanced event notice, weekly email blasts, QuarterNotes newsletter, discounts on LAJS events, and recognition in printed materials at higher tiers. Contributions are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3).

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ children reached annually through Jazz in Schools program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Angel City Arts FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner for premiering young composer works from the Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award recipients. Compositions are premiered as part of the annual Angel City Arts Festival.
• World Stage (Leimert Park)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLive venue partner for International Vibe Summit events. Located at 4321 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles, LA 90008. Hosts in-person component of annual vibraphone summit.
• American Federation of Musicians Local 47supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for Bill Green Mentorship Program auditions. Located at 3220 Winona Ave., Burbank, CA 91504.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Jazz at Lincoln Center: National nonprofit dedicated to jazz performance, preservation, and education through concerts, residencies, and educational programming. Directly comparable as a jazz-focused 501(c)(3) running concerts, education programs, and artist development at significantly larger scale.
• Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz: Jazz education nonprofit offering performance, instruction, and mentorship programs including international competitions and school partnerships. Highly comparable mission and educational programming model to LAJS.
• SFJAZZ: San Francisco-based nonprofit jazz organization presenting concerts, festivals, and education programs. Closely analogous business model: concerts, education in schools, and membership-driven nonprofit.
• Monterey Jazz Festival: Long-running California nonprofit jazz festival and education organization running school-based jazz education and a competitive festival. Comparable as a California-rooted jazz nonprofit combining live performance with school education programming.
• Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz: Jazz education nonprofit focused on nurturing young musicians through college-level programs and school initiatives. Directly comparable educational mission around developing emerging jazz artists.
• Jazz Foundation of America: Nonprofit providing financial support, housing, and medical assistance to jazz and blues musicians. Comparable nonprofit structure serving the jazz community, though focused on elder/ill musicians rather than youth education.
• National Jazz Museum in Harlem: Nonprofit museum and cultural center preserving jazz heritage through exhibits, performances, and educational programs. Comparable mission of jazz preservation, education, and community programming.
• Young Musicians Foundation: Los Angeles-based nonprofit supporting young classical and jazz musicians through performances, mentorship, and scholarships. Closely comparable LA-based mission of nurturing emerging young musicians.
• Brubeck Institute: Jazz studies program at University of the Pacific offering fellowships, performances, and education for young jazz musicians. Comparable educational mission and artist development focus.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian Jazz: Program of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History preserving jazz heritage and offering educational resources. Broader incumbent in jazz preservation/education with significantly larger institutional backing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lajazzsociety
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LosAngelesJazzSociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/LAJazzSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/los-angeles-jazz-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/lajazzsociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Jazz Society