The Hidden Power of Jazz: "Jazz music, I think it's important to say, (Jazz) has a significant number of benefits, neurologically, physiologically, even passive listening."

A Tribe For Jazz is a nonprofit organization founded with a mission to preserve and advance jazz through visual storytelling, performances, education, and community engagement. Founded three years ago, with an anniversary approaching in April 2025, the organization has already left a notable mark in the jazz community.

Stephanie Matthews' Journey and Role

Stephanie Matthews, the executive director of A Tribe For Jazz, shares her personal journey and the roots of her passion for jazz. Growing up surrounded by jazz music, influenced by her family, and learning the trumpet out of admiration for Louis Armstrong, Stephanie's connection to jazz runs deep. She joined the organization bringing her expertise in visual storytelling, which has become a crucial part of their mission.

Visual Storytelling and Achievements

One of the standout achievements of A Tribe For Jazz is the creation of "Legacy Jon Irabagon, A Solo Tenor Odyssey" a cinematic performance film showcased at film festivals worldwide. This project exemplifies the organization's innovative approach to preserving jazz in a visual and immersive way.

Additionally, the organization hosts the Combs International Jazz Series, featuring top-tier national and international jazz musicians, in partnership with CCAD and Columbus Dance Theatre.

Educational and Community Initiatives

Stephanie emphasizes the organization's commitment to education and community engagement. They use jazz as a tool in educational contexts such as STEM and social-emotional learning. By forming dynamic partnerships, A Tribe For Jazz provides young children, especially from marginalized communities, with opportunities to think differently and develop essential skills like collaboration, adaptability, resilience, and improvisation.

Jazz as a Way of Thinking

Stephanie Matthews elaborates on how jazz is more than just music for her organization; it's a way of thinking and collaborating, similar to interactions in a jazz ensemble. She shares insights on how jazz fosters inclusivity, access, dialogue, and listening, making it applicable beyond the realm of art. However, she has faced skepticism from those who see jazz only as an art form and not as a broader concept with scientific connections.

Neuroscience and Music’s Influence

Stephanie articulates jazz's influence on the brain. She mentions how music, especially jazz, can evoke geometric patterns, mathematical equations, and colors, signifying its complexity and relation to science. Eric recommends a talk by Pat Metheny at a neuroscience conference, illustrating how music can be detected in nonmusical sounds, further emphasizing music's pervasive presence in our lives.

The Challenge of Thinking Over Judging

Eric discusses the notion that judgment is easy and thinking is hard, particularly in businesses and educational institutions. He encourages analytical individuals like engineers or accountants to explore and utilize different parts of their brain to enhance their existing processes.

JazzLab and Creative Processes

Stephanie sheds light on the JazzLab approach, where a catalyst idea is built upon with inputs from others, allowing room for evolution and feedback.

Adapting to Change and Embracing Possibilities

Eric and Stephanie discuss the inevitability of change and how jazz can be used as a metaphor to navigate it. Stephanie introduces "jazz thinking," a method in development focusing on relinquishing control and being open to possibilities rather than predetermined outcomes.

Music and Problem-Solving

Eric and Stephanie explore the idea of using creative approaches, like music, to solve societal and organizational issues, such as affordable housing. They suggest incorporating music into corporate retreats to inspire new solutions and improve problem-solving.

Key Moments

00:00 Discussing reasons for choosing jazz music.

05:16 Jazz captivates beyond famous names and personalities.

08:12 Stephanie loves the organization's focus on music.

11:40 Jazz enhances wellness, creativity, memory, and emotion.

14:12 Miles Davis influenced song's crucial early change.

18:50 Judgment is easy, thinking requires effortful understanding.

22:12 Jazz is music and a collaborative lifestyle.

23:22 You're talented at communicating in STEM education.

27:35 Creativity liberates non-artists; society emphasizes analytics.

30:58 Bring your organization for Columbus growth issues.

36:12 Promote collaboration, adaptability, interconnectedness through music.

37:48 Indictment looming, societal issues and reluctance.

43:52 People resist change, prefer control for happiness.

46:57 Digable Planets were ahead of their time.

48:38 Adjust to changes to minimize discomfort.

51:37 Nondualistic thinking can be valuable during crises.

Stephanie Matthews is the Executive Director of A Tribe for Jazz, a visionary 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving jazz's legacy and advancing its future through education, performance, and visual storytelling.

As an arts administrator, Stephanie harnesses jazz as a transformative tool to promote social and emotional learning, STEM integration, and emotional wellness. She created Jazz Lab™, an innovative program funded by the Battelle Central Ohio STEM Grant, that merges music and science. Jazz Lab™ engages underserved youth in innovative, hands-on experiences like virtual reality, 3D printed instrument assembly, and exploring the physics of sound, igniting creativity, collaboration, and curiosity in the next generation of learners.

Stephanie’s leadership also extends into award-winning film production. Notable projects include Legacy Jon Irabagon: A Solo Tenor Odyssey, a captivating celebration of jazz’s creative spontaneity, and Exploration, a documentary and workshop that blends jazz, mindfulness, and collaborative art to promote emotional wellness.

Grounded in her faith and an unwavering commitment to inclusion and educational equity, Stephanie has elevated A Tribe for Jazz into a globally recognized organization. Through her vision, the organization continues to redefine how jazz is experienced—bridging disciplines and inspiring, dynamic connections that honor the legacy and innovation of jazz.

Website: https://www.atribeforjazz.org

The article referencing South Dakota Mines

"Music and STEM combine to create perfect harmony"

https://hardrock.sdsmt.edu/magazine/music-and-stem-combine-to-create-perfect-harmony

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Jazz As a Tool for Creativity and Problem Solving with A Tribe For Jazz