JazzArts Charlotte

What JazzArts Charlotte does

JazzArts Charlotte is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and education organization founded in 2009 and headquartered at the VAPA Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. It operates as the sole jazz-focused nonprofit in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region, delivering a portfolio organized around three pillars: live performance, jazz education, and musician support. The signature offering is The JAZZ ROOM, a monthly concert series at Stage Door Theater featuring nationally recognized artists such as Joe Lovano, Pedrito Martinez, and René Marie. Education programming spans JazzArts Academy, youth ensembles, the free Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Orchestra, the WeBop preschool program, Jazz In Schools outreach, and a week-long Summer Music Camp at UNC Charlotte serving grades 7–12. Music education is supported by a scholarship fund with financial aid covering up to 90% of tuition on a need-based sliding scale.

The organization's technology footprint centers on the "Keep Jazz A-Livestreaming" digital initiative — virtual programming distributed via YouTube and Facebook Live comprising a Conversation Series, Jazz Exploration interactive workshops, and a Virtual Performance Series, with on-demand availability. Ticketing runs through CarolinaTix/Blumenthal Arts; there are no proprietary AI/ML systems, SDKs, or APIs disclosed. Founding leadership includes CEO/President Lonnie Davis (a New Orleans native and NOCCA alumna) and co-founder Ocie Davis. The current executive team includes Director of Education Dr. Patrick Brown, Director of Nuestro Tiempo iliana Rose, and Marketing Director Rebecka Nelli. Operations run on a lean team of approximately five full- and part-time staff.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: ticket sales and JAZZ ROOM season subscriptions ($20–$32 per show, $60 cabaret tables), individual donations and corporate/foundation sponsorships (Knight Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, Alice L Walton Foundation, Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Blue Cross NC, Arts & Science Council, NC Arts Council), and education program fees including workshop tuition ($100–$250 per session) and summer camp enrollment. Customer segments span students and youth, adult learners, pre-K children and families, jazz enthusiasts and the general public, and professional musicians. Geographic scope is regional (Charlotte-Mecklenburg and broader North Carolina), with digital programming providing limited national reach.

Name

JazzArts Charlotte

Legal name

JazzArts Charlotte

Website

https://thejazzarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JazzArts Charlotte is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 and the only jazz-focused organization in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, delivering live performances through The JAZZ ROOM concert series, year-round education via JazzArts Academy and youth ensembles, and digital programming serving students, jazz patrons, and professional musicians.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education and Live Jazz Entertainment

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Camps (Band, Choir, Instrument Intensive) (EDAMALAJ), Music (Instruments, Voice, Music Theory) (EDAAAGAC), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Jazz education programs
• Live jazz performances
• Music education workshops
• Youth music ensembles
• Performing arts nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales and Subscriptions: Revenue from JAZZ ROOM live performance tickets ($20-32 per show) and season subscriptions. The JAZZ ROOM is the signature concert series featuring nationally recognized jazz artists.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and institutional giving from foundations and arts councils supporting jazz education and performance programming.
3. Education Program Fees: Tuition fees for workshops and summer music camp programs, with financial aid scholarships available on a need-based sliding scale up to 90% coverage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

JazzArts Charlotte is a nonprofit arts and education organization that operates The JAZZ ROOM, a signature monthly concert series at Stage Door Theater featuring nationally recognized jazz artists, and JazzArts Academy, a comprehensive year-round jazz education program serving students from preschool through adult levels. Programs include youth ensembles, workshops, summer music camp, in-school programs, Latin jazz youth orchestra (Nuestro Tiempo), and preschool WeBop program, supplemented by digital virtual programming (Keep Jazz A-Livestreaming) on YouTube and Facebook Live.

Product overview

JazzArts Charlotte is a non-profit arts and education organization offering a portfolio of jazz-focused products centered around three pillars: live performance (The JAZZ ROOM concert series), education (JazzArts Academy with youth ensembles, summer camp, Latin jazz orchestra, and in-school programs), and musician support. The organization also provides digital programming through Keep Jazz A-Livestreaming and scholarship opportunities to ensure accessibility. The JazzArts Academy serves as the core educational platform, while The JAZZ ROOM serves as the signature performance venue series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The JAZZ ROOM: Signature monthly concert series featuring renowned local, regional, and national jazz artists in an intimate jazz room setting at the Stage Door Theater
• JazzArts Academy
• JazzArts Youth Ensembles
• Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Orchestra
• WeBop
• JazzArts Summer Music Camp

Products and services

• The JAZZ ROOM Concert Series The signature monthly concert series of JazzArts Charlotte, held at Stage Door Theater, featuring renowned local, regional, and national jazz artists in an intimate venue reminiscent of classic jazz rooms. Tickets sold per show or via season subscription.
• JazzArts Academy Comprehensive year-round jazz education program serving thousands of students annually with ensemble training, workshops, and instruction from area jazz professionals, including youth ensembles, workshops, summer camp, and specialized programs.
• JazzArts Youth Ensembles + Workshops Youth ensemble programs providing young musicians opportunities to perform together in combos and work with world-renowned musicians and clinicians.
• Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Orchestra Free Latin jazz ensemble taught by notable local Latin jazz musicians and educators, open to student musicians, celebrating Latino culture and teaching music through Latin jazz.
• WeBop Preschool Jazz Program Pre-K jazz program introducing young children to jazz music concepts through age-appropriate activities, designed for preschool-age children and their families.
• JazzArts Summer Music Camp Week-long overnight camp presented at UNC Charlotte providing students grades 7-12 intensive jazz curriculum including combos and mentorship from world-renowned musicians, featuring collaborations with Jazz Ambassadors of the United States Army Field Band reaching nearly 2,500 student musicians annually through masterclasses and clinics.
• Jazz In Schools Programs Outreach programs bringing jazz education directly to schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community, supported by Arts & Science Council funding to ensure accessibility for all students.
• Keep Jazz A-Livestreaming Digital programming initiative featuring virtual performance series (SET), conversation series with musician interviews, and Jazz Exploration Series live interactive workshops available on YouTube and Facebook Live with on-demand content.
• Jazz Exploration Online Workshop Live, interactive online workshops covering jazz history and instrumental focus, available for adult learners and students, with financial aid scholarships available up to 90% of tuition cost on a need-based sliding scale.
• Student Scholarship Fund Scholarship program providing financial assistance for students to participate in JazzArts Academy programs, with eligibility based on financial need or merit and minimum 2.5 GPA requirements, with coverage up to 90% of tuition costs on a sliding scale.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of students served annually through jazz education programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blumenthal ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Charlotte arts community providing venue access and collaborative programming support.
• Stage Door TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance venue hosting JAZZ ROOM concert series. Located at 155 North College Street, Charlotte.
• South ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional arts organization supporting jazz programming and arts initiatives.
• Charlotte Center City PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in We Insist! production and broader city cultural development initiatives.
• Levine Museum of the New SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in We Insist! Freedom Now Suite Black History Month programming with historian Dr. Willie Griffin.
• SHARE CharlotteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatform providing website, social media tools, events, and media attention to amplify nonprofit partners' efforts. Awarded Goodie Award in 2020.
• O's Place JazzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJazz venue and partner supporting Keep Jazz A-Livestreaming virtual programs.
• Crown StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal venue sponsor for virtual programming and jazz events.
• Neighborhood TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for SET virtual performance series showcasing local jazz musicians.
• United States Army Field BandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJazz Ambassadors ensemble provides clinics and masterclasses at JazzArts Summer Music Camp, reaching nearly 2,500 student musicians annually.
• UNC CharlotteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for JazzArts Summer Music Camp.
• Myers Park Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for annual JazzArts Summer Music Camp.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Savannah Music Festival: Nonprofit presenting a multi-genre music festival plus year-round education programs in the Savannah, GA region — comparable in being a regional Southeast arts-presenting nonprofit with education components, though broader than jazz-only.
• Blumenthal Performing Arts: Charlotte-based nonprofit performing arts presenter and venue operator, which is also an active programming partner of JazzArts Charlotte. Comparable as a Charlotte performing-arts nonprofit sharing donor pool, venue ecosystem, and ticketing infrastructure.
• Charlotte Symphony: Charlotte-based nonprofit performing arts organization running a professional orchestra with education and community engagement programs. Comparable as a Charlotte arts nonprofit competing for similar corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and donor households.

Broad incumbents

• Jazz at Lincoln Center: National 501(c)(3) dedicated to jazz performance, education, and preservation, operating multiple concert venues, educational programs, and a jazz orchestra. Far larger in scale than JazzArts Charlotte but operates the same nonprofit performing-arts-plus-education mission with similar programming pillars (concerts, youth education, artist residencies).
• Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz: National nonprofit focused on jazz education, performance, and preservation, known for college-level jazz performance programs and competitions. Operates at a larger scale and more conservatory-focused than JazzArts Charlotte, but pursues the same jazz-education-plus-preservation nonprofit mission.
• Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz: National nonprofit running jazz education programs at universities and high schools internationally, including the Monk Competition and global education initiatives. Similar nonprofit jazz-education mission though operating at a larger, more internationally focused scale.

Direct peers

• Pittsburgh Jazz: Regional nonprofit presenting jazz concerts and operating jazz education initiatives in the Pittsburgh metro area, including artist residencies and youth programming. Comparable in scale, mission, and structure to JazzArts Charlotte as a single-city jazz presenting/education org.
• SFJAZZ: San Francisco-based nonprofit jazz presenting and education organization that operates a concert venue (SFJAZZ Center), an annual festival, and year-round jazz education programs for youth and adults. Closest direct functional peer — same combination of intimate concert series, youth ensemble model, and digital programming that JazzArts Charlotte runs in Charlotte.
• DC Jazz Festival: Washington D.C.-based nonprofit producing an annual jazz festival, year-round concerts, and educational programs including youth ensembles and school outreach. Directly comparable regional jazz-presenting-plus-education nonprofit model.
• Jazz St. Louis: Mid-size regional nonprofit that presents jazz concerts, runs youth jazz education programs, and supports local musicians in a single metro market (St. Louis). Highly comparable organizational scale, mission, and revenue mix (ticket sales + tuition + grants) to JazzArts Charlotte.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/JazzArtsInitiative
• Facebookfacebook.com/theJazzArts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jazzarts-charlotte

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 JazzArts Charlotte