2026 conference Applications open each year from
April 1 – April 30
If you’ve never applied before and want to know how,
or if you simply need a refresher course, watch our informative webinar below!
conference performer
2026 Applications open
April 1 – April 30
Full Individual, Chapter Organizer, Institution or Corporate membership required
conference presenter
2026 Applications open
April 1 – April 30
Full Individual, Chapter Organizer, Institution or Corporate membership required
research presentation
2026 Applications open
April 1 – April 30
Full Individual, Chapter Organizer, Institution or Corporate membership required
jenerations jazz festival
2026 REGISTRATION OPEN DATES
JEN Chapters
March 1
JEN Full Individual Members
April 1
Full Individual, Chapter Organizer, Institution or Corporate membership required
First come, first served
(until all available slots are filled)
YOUNG COMPOSER SHOWCASE
2026 Applications
OPEN NOW!
Feb 1 – June 1
Full Individual, eJEN, yJEN membership required
scholarships
2026 Applications open
Jan 15 – April 15
Open to high school and university students, ages 14 & up
JAZZ INDUSTRY / MUSIC BUSINESS
2026 Applications open
April 1 – April 30
Full Individual, Chapter Organizer, Institution or Corporate membership required
SISTERS IN JAZZ
2026 Applications open
July 1 – Sep 30
Full Individual, eJEN, yJEN membership required
exhibitors
2026 Registrations open
May 1
Connect with attendees throughout the conference!
Institution or Corporate membership required
Advertise in the Conference Guide
2025 Conference Sponsors & Partners
PRODUCING SPONSOR
DownBeat Magazine (Maher Publications) produces the annual conference program and show guide as well as ongoing JEN member benefits year-round.
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
Jazz Road, a program of the Atlanta non-profit South Arts, supports the Inspirations Stage and the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo.
Yamaha Corporation of America provides invaluable concert piano, digital keyboard, and drumset resources for the performing and clinic venues of the Conference.
The Preservation Hall Foundation serves as a fundamental pillar of the New Orleans music community.
Conn-Selmer, Ludwig, & Musser facilitate drumset and keyboard percussion resources for the performing and clinic venues of the conference and provides support for the Inspirations Stage.
The Eastman School of Music supports the New Voices Stage in celebration of its new Jazz Voice degree led by Sara Gazarek within its Jazz and Contemporary Media program.
A JEN Founding Institution partner, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation is a fiscal sponsor of the ongoing JEN Research Fellowship.
The KHS America family of instrument brands led by Jupiter facilitate drumset and keyboard percussion resources for the performing and clinic venues of the Conference.
A JEN Charter Member organization, Berklee College of Music is a cooperative partner and fiscal sponsor of the annual John LaPorta Educator of the Year Award.
The John Stites Jazz Awards funds personal development projects to enhance the career opportunities of professional jazz musicians and provides financial assistance to JEN members to offset conference attendance.
Jazz WCLK (91.9 FM) Clark Atlanta University provides marketing & community support for the 16th Annual Conference
ADDITIONAL sponsors
The dynamic jazz education and premier presenting organization of the Queen City celebrates the individual contributors that power JEN through their gifts each year.
Join JazzWire in celebration of our exhibitors and look out for sessions marked “JazzWire Recommended Adult Learners” in the program show guide.
Encore Tours celebrates the work of the Jazz Education by sponsoring the 2025 Founders Toast.
The University of New Orleans proudly sponsors the 2025 Donor Appreciation Reception.
Additional partners
• The AAJC is the official presenting partner of the Donald Meade Legacy Jazz Griot Award.
• The JENerations Jazz Festival is presented in partnership with Music for All.
acknowledgements & thanks
The Jazz Education Network is grateful to all who help make our annual conference possible: JEN’s staff, the many dozens of volunteers, and Board of Directors, Casey Kruer Perez of the Hospitality Performance Network.
THANK YOU!
