We Always Swing Jazz Series
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersColumbia, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
We Always Swing Jazz Series firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- We Always Swing Jazz Series
- Legal name
- We Always Swing, Inc.
- Website
- https://wealwaysswing.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
We Always Swing Jazz Series industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Music Events / Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Live Music Clubs & Venues (MPAGAIAB)
Keywords
Where We Always Swing Jazz Series is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
We Always Swing Jazz Series business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Concert Revenue: Ticket sales from season tickets and individual concert events. Revenue generated through box office and online ThunderTix sales.
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individual donors through annual campaigns like the 'Top It Off!' Individual Donor Campaign. Various giving levels from $25 Fan to $5,000+ Hall of Fame.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Support from national, regional, and local corporations and businesses through season sponsorships, event sponsorships, and educational sponsorships.
- Government Grants and Contracts: Federal, state and local grants and contracts supporting organization operations and educational programs.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of jazz education raffle tickets and merchandise through the Jazz Series Gear store.
- Lending Library Memberships: Annual membership program for the Von Freeman Memorial Lending Library - $25+ for students, $60+ for public members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Season Tickets |
| Subscription | Annual | Student Lending Library Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Basic Public Library Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Sustainable Family Library Membership |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Lifetime Individual Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Donor Tiers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jazz Education Raffle Tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
We Always Swing Jazz Series product offering
Product offeringCore offering
We Always Swing Jazz Series is a community-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces and presents a seasonal jazz concert series featuring world-class musicians at multiple venues in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to its annual concert season (currently Season #32 for 2026-2027), the organization runs the James Williams Jazz Series Education Program, the Von Freeman Memorial Lending Library, the experimental Left Field Series, and a merchandise store.
Product overview
The "We Always Swing" Jazz Series is a community-based jazz concert producing and educational organization that operates as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. The core product is its concert series (Season #32 for 2026-2027) featuring world-class jazz musicians at various Columbia, Missouri venues. Supporting offerings include the James Williams Education Program, the Von Freeman Memorial Lending Library with digital catalog access, the Jazz Series Gear merchandise store, Jazz Series Concert Review digital publications, and the experimental Left Field Series. The organization sells season tickets and individual show tickets primarily through ThunderTix, with merchandise payments via PayPal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- James Williams Jazz Series Education Program: Education component of the Jazz Series focused on educational activities, community events, and jazz education for students.
- Von Freeman Memorial Lending Library
- Left Field Series
Products and services
- Jazz Concert Series (Season Tickets) Annual seasonal jazz concert series produced multiple times per year featuring internationally renowned jazz musicians at venues across Columbia, Missouri (The Broadway, Blue Note, Missouri Theatre, Murry's, Jesse Auditorium, Rogers Whitmore Recital Hall). Sold via season subscriptions and individual show tickets.
- Season Ticket Packages Subscription package providing priority seating and access to all scheduled performances of the annual jazz season, with a ranking system that assigns seats based on order timing.
- Von Freeman Memorial Lending Library Community lending library of jazz recordings and books, offering annual memberships for borrowing CDs and LPs. Housed at the Jazz Series headquarters at 21 N. 10th St., Columbia, MO.
- James Williams Jazz Series Education Program Educational programming including school programs, master classes, children's concerts, Partner-in-Education activities, and community events designed to promote jazz awareness and music education for K-12 and university students.
- Jazz Series Gear Store Online merchandise store offering jazz education raffle tickets, clothing, collectibles, music recordings, and gear, with payments processed via PayPal.
- Left Field Series Alternative jazz programming series featuring experimental and avant-garde jazz performances, including dedicated fundraiser events like 'Left Field Fundraiser' and 'Left Field Presents' shows.
- Jazz Education Raffle Fundraising raffle supporting jazz education, with tickets priced at $10 for one, $25 for three, and $50 for seven. Prizes include season tickets, jazz-in-the-district packages, left field passes, gift certificates, and library memberships.
Quantifiable outcome
- Produced 400+ concerts featuring 2,000+ artists since 1995
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use We Always Swing Jazz Series
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
We Always Swing Jazz Series technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
We Always Swing Jazz Series partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The BroadwaycoreHost hotel and primary venue partner. The Broadway at 1111 East Broadway provides venue space for Season #32 Kick-Off and other events. Also includes 11 Eleven venue and The Roof space.
- Budds Center for American Music StudiescoreEvent sponsor and academic partner through MU School of Music collaboration. Supports educational programming and concert events.
- Commerce BankcoreEvent sponsor for the Jazz Series 2026/2027 season. Provides financial support for concert and educational programming.
- Commerce Trust CompanyminorSeason sponsor providing financial support for the Jazz Series operations.
- Murry'scoreVenue partner for 'Sundays @ Murry's' concert series. Provides restaurant venue for intimate jazz performances.
- KBIAminorMedia sponsor providing radio coverage and promotional support for the Jazz Series.
- KMOS-TVminorMedia sponsor providing television coverage and promotional support.
- KOPNminorCommunity radio media sponsor providing promotional support for Jazz Series events.
- Central Bank of Boone CountyminorAssistance provider offering financial support for Jazz Series programming and operations.
- Columbia Office of Cultural AffairsminorLocal government arts agency providing support and assistance for cultural programming.
- Missouri Cotton ExchangeminorSeason sponsor providing financial support for Jazz Series operations.
- Missouri Employers MutualminorEducation program sponsor supporting the James Williams Jazz Series Education Program.
- Columbia Public Schools DistrictcoreClose relationship with District Fine Arts Area ensuring collaboration, involvement and participation. Partner-in-Education Program with 100+ area businesses adopting schools.
- MU School of MusiccoreLongstanding relationship with Director of Jazz Studies Sam Griffith (also board member). Enhanced communication with music education and jazz students, increasing performance opportunities.
- Columbia Public Schools FoundationminorEducation sponsor supporting school-based jazz programs and educational activities.
- OrschelnminorEducation sponsor providing financial support for the James Williams Jazz Series Education Program.
- Von Freeman EstatecoreMemorial naming partnership - the lending library was dedicated in honor of legendary Chicago tenor saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Von Freeman (b. 10/3/23–d. 8/11/12). His son Chico Freeman formally dedicated the collection in March 2018.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
We Always Swing Jazz Series competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Detroit Jazz Festival: Free, nonprofit jazz festival with year-round education programming; shares the community-presenting, education-driven model applied by We Always Swing.
- PDX Jazz (Portland Jazz Festival): Portland-based 501(c)(3) jazz presenter running an annual festival plus year-round concerts and education; shares the regional-presenter-with-education model.
- Chicago Jazz Institute: Chicago-area nonprofit dedicated to preserving and presenting jazz through concerts and education; comparable as a mission-aligned jazz presenting organization with educational programming.
- SFJAZZ: San Francisco-based nonprofit presenting organization producing a season of jazz concerts, education programs, and community events — directly comparable as a regional jazz presenter with ticketed season programming and educational outreach.
- Monterey Jazz Festival: 501(c)(3) nonprofit producing an annual jazz festival plus year-round education programs; comparable in mission (presenting world-class jazz in a regional market with educational outreach) and nonprofit structure.
- DC Jazz Festival: Nonprofit organization presenting jazz performances, education, and community programming in the Washington, DC region; directly comparable in mission and nonprofit presenting structure.
Others
- Save the Music Foundation: Nonprofit funding music education in schools; adjacent as a music-education-focused nonprofit operating in the same educational and donor-grant ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: Nonprofit presenting classical/chamber concerts with education programs; comparable as a subscription-based, education-rich community presenting organization in a different genre.
- Jazz at Lincoln Center: National-scale jazz presenting and programming organization offering concerts, education, and residencies; a larger, broader incumbent in the same presenting-jazz-into-regional-markets category.
- Playhouse Square: Large nonprofit performing arts center presenting a multi-genre season including jazz in Cleveland; a broader incumbent whose presenting, ticketing, and education infrastructure is structurally comparable.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
We Always Swing Jazz Series social profiles
Digital presenceWe Always Swing Jazz Series compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
We Always Swing Jazz Series financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
We Always Swing Jazz Series leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
We Always Swing Jazz Series funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
We Always Swing Jazz Series M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about We Always Swing Jazz Series
What does We Always Swing Jazz Series do?
We Always Swing Jazz Series is a community-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces and presents a seasonal jazz concert series featuring world-class musicians at multiple venues in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to its annual concert season (currently Season #32 for 2026-2027), the organization runs the James Williams Jazz Series Education Program, the Von Freeman Memorial Lending Library, the experimental Left Field Series, and a merchandise store.
Is We Always Swing Jazz Series a public or private company?
We Always Swing Jazz Series is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was We Always Swing Jazz Series founded?
We Always Swing Jazz Series was founded in 1995. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is We Always Swing Jazz Series based?
We Always Swing Jazz Series is headquartered in Columbia, United States, in the North America region.
How does We Always Swing Jazz Series make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Concert Revenue is the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, corporate Sponsorships, government Grants and Contracts, merchandise Sales and lending Library Memberships.
Who are We Always Swing Jazz Series's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Detroit Jazz Festival, PDX Jazz (Portland Jazz Festival), Chicago Jazz Institute, SFJAZZ, Monterey Jazz Festival and DC Jazz Festival. Save the Music Foundation is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Playhouse Square.
Does We Always Swing Jazz Series have an API?
No public API is recorded for We Always Swing Jazz Series.
What industry is We Always Swing Jazz Series in?
We Always Swing Jazz Series's product category is Live Music Events / Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAFAA, Concerts & Music Festivals, with a secondary code of EDAMANAC, Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir). Its NAICS code is 711130 and its SIC code is 7900.