Jazz 101 Workshops
Sponsored by EBONY
The Jazz 101 Workshops offer free educational experiences during the Atlanta Jazz Festival, inviting audiences of all levels to engage more deeply with the music, culture, and community of jazz. While all workshops are free, registration is encouraged as space is limited. Taking place at the Jazz 101 Workshop Stage—a new addition to the festival located at the top of the hill—these sessions feature conversations, demonstrations, and interactive experiences led by artists and industry professionals, exploring the roots, evolution, and future of the genre.
The Jazz 101 Workshop Stage is hosted by :
Tony Hightower
Saturday | May 23 – Workshop Schedule
Writing for Indigenous Sounds: Jazz, Identity & Memory
Tracing the sounds, stories, and cultural lineages that shape jazz and its evolving global expression
Jazz has always carried deep connections to identity, place, and cultural memory. Led by artists Zawadi and Siya Makuzeni, this conversation explores the Indigenous sonic roots that have informed its development and the ways those influences continue to surface in contemporary jazz. Bridging tradition and experimentation, the session reflects on how these sounds are preserved, transformed, and reinterpreted as jazz evolves across the globe.
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Saturday May 23 | 12:00 – 12:45 PM
Jazz in Motion: Blues as the Foundation of Jazz Dance
Move through the roots as blues rhythm, improvisation, and connection shape jazz dance
Explore how the blues serves as the emotional and rhythmic foundation of jazz in this immersive movement workshop led by Hot Jam Atlanta. Through guided instruction in blues dance fundamentals, improvisation, and partner connection, participants will experience how blues vocabulary shapes jazz timing, phrasing, and expression. Open to all levels, this session brings music and movement together, revealing how the spirit of the blues continues to define jazz today.
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Saturday May 23 | 2:00 – 2:45 PM
Soul Care: Music & Pets Fuel the Soul
A conversation on joy, companionship, and how pets support emotional well-being.
Presented with EBONY, Atlanta Humane Society, Purina, and Petfinder, this panel explores the powerful connection between pets, music, and emotional wellness. Featuring veterinarians, animal welfare advocates, trainers, and pet lovers, the conversation examines how relationships with pets are evolving in our communities, why representation matters, and how trust is built through familiarity and visibility. Grounded in music and community, this session centers connection—how pets bring comfort, open our hearts, and add meaning to the rhythm of everyday life.
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Saturday May 23 | 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Sunday | May 24 – Workshop Schedule
Women In Jazz: Songwriting, Storytelling & Sound with Nicole Zuraitis
A workshop-style conversation on craft, voice, and the women leading jazz forward.
Featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Nicole Zuraitis, this session offers a deep dive into her songwriting process—exploring how she develops lyrics, shapes melody, and builds emotional narrative through sound. In conversation with fellow vocalists, the session unfolds as a guided creative exchange with real-time insight into her artistic approach and voice.
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Sunday May 24 | 12:00 – 12:45 PM
In The Pocket: The Art Of Groove with Nate Smith
Featuring acclaimed drummer Nate Smith.
Step inside the rhythm section with an intimate masterclass led by renowned drummer Nate Smith, exploring what it truly means to be “in the pocket.” Rooted in jazz and extending into R&B, hip-hop, and beyond, this session unpacks the art of groove, feel, dynamics, and rhythmic conversation—where time and musicality come to life. Through conversation and live demonstration, Nate reveals how deep listening, intention, and rhythmic connection create momentum, shape improvisation, and drive the overall sound of a band.
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Sunday May 24 | 2:00 – 2:45 PM
New Groove at 30: Celebrating Blue Note Remix
Celebrating the moment jazz met hip-hop and redefined modern sound.
Curated by Jamal Ahmad and featuring Lil John Roberts and John Robinson, this interactive conversation and live performance explores the evolution of rhythm, sampling, and beat culture through jazz and hip-hop. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of The New Groove: The Blue Note Remix Project, the session revisits the groundbreaking release that connected classic Blue Note recordings with hip-hop producers and DJs, redefining how jazz lives within modern beat culture and influencing generations of sound.
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Sunday May 24 | 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Monday | May 25 – Workshop Schedule
Afrobeat Jazz: Rhythm, Roots & Evolution
From West African rhythms to modern jazz, tracing the pulse of a global sound.
Guided by Mausiki Scales, this workshop explores the intersection of Afrobeat and jazz through rhythm, cultural heritage, and innovation. Tracing the journey from West African percussion to jazz improvisation and call-and-response traditions, the session reveals how these forms connect across the African diaspora. Through listening, dialogue, and rhythmic exploration, participants engage Afrobeat as a living cultural expression.
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Monday May 25 | 12:00 – 12:45 PM
The Business of Jazz: Building a Sustainable Artist Life
Branding, income, and strategy for building a lasting life in jazz.
Led by Celeste DeBro, this practical workshop explores the tools artists need to build and sustain successful careers in today’s music industry. From branding and booking to income streams, rights management, and long-term strategy, participants will gain a clearer understanding of the business side of artistry.
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Monday May 25 | 2:00 – 2:45 PM
Beyond Genre: Jazz in Modern Music Production with Outskrt
Exploring how jazz is reimagined through modern production, sampling, and sound design.
Presented by Outskrt, featuring Childish Major, Trey Lander, and Noah Sills, this session features producers and artists shaping the future of jazz through the studio. Blending conversation with live demonstration, the discussion highlights how jazz traditions—improvisation, harmony, and rhythm—are transformed through beat-making, sampling, and digital production. Panelists will break down original tracks and explore how production is expanding the sound and reach of jazz today.
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Monday May 25 | 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Soul Care: Music & Pets Fuel the Soul
A conversation on joy, companionship, and how pets support emotional well-being.
One E and a Two E is a Kids Rhythm Workshop that introduces children to Brazilian Jazz rhythms, inspired by African drumming traditions. Focused on samba jazz, kids will use rhythm sticks and tambourines to learn basic beats and create their own catchy rhythms. Led by Brazilian drummer and percussionist Rafa Pereira, this high-energy session combines music and movement for a fun and engaging experience!
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May 24 – 26 | 4:30pm – 5:00pm and 5:30pm – 6:00PM
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