Join us for a journey through the history of jazz from Early New Orleans Blues to Funk rock tunes performed by a jazz ensemble comprised of Springfield-native young musicians. Expect an afternoon of instrumental and vocal stylings presented at the historic Robyn Newhouse Hall at Community Music School of Springfield.

These Springfield musicians are prepared to present an hour and a half of curated jazz history and evolution from 6:30pm to 8pm on Friday, May 8th at 127 State Street, Springfield, MA with doors opening at 6 pm.

This jazz ensemble will be led by CMSS’s own Sonido Musica Teaching Artists, Alton Skinner, and Richard Parris Scott, and entirely made up of Springfield Public Schools high school students and graduates who have exhibited mastery of their instruments and dedication to their craft. This event is in part prompted by the META Fellowship Project, which Alton and Parris are in the 2025-2026 cohort for, and will be presented at the end-of-year META Fellowship showcase this May in Boston to honor the work, impact, and music community of Springfield.