User:Jazzspot-2015/West Texas Jazz Party

West Texas Jazz Party (WTJS) is dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation and expansion of America’s original musical art form – jazz; the promotion of jazz as an art form among the young; and, the presentation of quality jazz performances in the Permian Basin. The 49th jazz party takes place May 14 -17, 2015.

As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences of all ages for the jazz art form, the WTJS holds an annual jazz party and periodic concerts in the Permian Basin featuring national and regional jazz and blues artists. The WTJS also holds regular clinics for students in conjunction with its events, allowing local musicians in public and private schools, colleges and universities the opportunity to learn from professional musicians in an informal setting.

History of the West Texas Jazz Parties

The First Annual Odessa Jazz Party was held in 1967, founded by Dr. O.A. "Jimmie" Fulcher with the help of Denver businessman Dick Gibson. By the 5th annual party, more than 350 energetic patrons from coast to coast attended the Odessa Jazz Party. In 1977 Max Christensen and a group of Midland jazz enthusiasts formed the Midland Jazz Association and the Midland Jazz Classic was born. Over the 49-year history of the events the two parties have hosted jazz greats from around the world. The list of jazz performers reads as a veritable who's who of American jazz history. The two parties merged under the umbrella of the West Texas Jazz Society in 1998. Since then, the West Texas Jazz Collaboration has continued the great traditions of the Odessa Jazz Party and the Midland Jazz Classic by alternating the performance locations between the two cooperating cities.