Our Story
Montavilla Jazz began as a neighborhood project founded by two jazz musicians, a graphic designer, and a community activist, whose collective vision was to build an audience for jazz in their community by putting on a festival that would attract local artists of the highest distinction and excite the most sophisticated jazz fans, and in turn enhance and enrich the lives of Montavilla residents. Read more…

Mission
Montavilla Jazz is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization made up of people who believe that the diverse art form known as jazz, as a tradition and a practice, is relevant and necessary to the lives of all people as a positive force for community-building and education. Read more…

Making an impact in Montavilla and Beyond!
In 2015, in order to bolster music education in our schools, MJF created the Montavilla Schools Fund (MSMF). MJF earmarked a portion of each ticket sold at MJF 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 to this fund. Our four neighborhood public schools had the opportunity to apply for grants funded by these proceeds. In four grant cycles MJF has allocated $7500 for music education in Montavilla schools.
In 2019, Montavilla Jazz transitioned away from the MSMF grant program in favor of developing jazz education initiatives in Montavilla schools. In its second year, Montavilla Jazz Artist-in-Residency expanded Vestal Elementary and Bridger School. In early 2020 students experienced how the sound and spirit of jazz are woven into the fabric of American life during six weeks with our Jazz Artist-in- Residence, Portland-based jazz saxophonist and educator, Mary-Sue Tobin.
In 2020 Montavilla Jazz launched another pilot program, Mt. Tabor Middle School Jazz. Morning jazz band supported Mt. Tabor Middle School’s band program by providing additional opportunities for band students to learn instrumental performance practices, broaden their understanding of the significant role that jazz plays in the history of band ensemble music, including innovations to performance techniques that are specific to jazz. Read more…
Photos by Kathryn Elsesser.
Credits
Board of Directors
Neil Mattson—Executive Director
Marcia Hocker—Vice President
Nancy Mitchell—Secretary
Steve Mitchell—Treasurer
Kim Harrison
Leontyne Morrell-Wilson
Pancho Savery
Katherine Sharp
Resource Council
Douglas Detrick—Substrate Arts Consulting
Christine Fuller—Fuller Events
Darrell Grant—PSU
Fritz Hirsch—Founder
Amy Maxwell—Ticket Tomato
Alema McCrea—AMC Bookkeeping & Tax
George Thorn—RACC
With support from:
Malarkey Family Foundation
Ron & Jean Boesl
Oregon Cultural Trust
Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation
Accelerator Design Studios
Prosper Portland
Oregon Arts Commission
Regional Arts & Culture Council
Metro Regional Government
Oregon Community Foundation
Joan & Jerry Mattson
State of Oregon
Mr Plywood
US Small Business Administration
James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
Washman LLC
Autzen Foundation
New Music USA
Montavilla Sewing Center
Sami Khawaja
City of Portland
Roumpf-Powell Charitable Giving Fund
OnPoint Community Credit Union
Elizabeth Booher
Eric Busch
Douglas Detrick
East Glisan Pizza Lounge
Riverview Bank
Fix Auto East Portland
Truman Heartland Community Foundation
Randy P Lifshotz
Ken Edwards
Barbara Newell
Bipartisian Cafe
Gregory & Mardee Malarkey
Joel Newman
Mt Tabor Middle School Foundation
George & Marcia Hocker