About Us

The "We Always Swing" Jazz Series, founded in 1995 as a concert producing and educational organization, is designed to present, promote, preserve and celebrate the great American art from known as "jazz."
The Jazz Series, its performances, educational activities and publications are administered by "We Always Swing," Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Support for the Jazz Series operations comes from ticket revenue; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; and the City of Columbia through the Office of Cultural Affairs' Commission for the Arts. Additional funding is secured from the National Endowment for the Arts and gifts from a variety of national, regional and local corporations and businesses, as well as through the generous tax-deductible contributions from individuals.

09/10 15th Anniversary Season Schedule

September

24—Prelude to the Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival:  Annual Downtown Columbia "Jazz, Wine & Beer" Pub Crawl

October

16—Jim Widner Big Band with Special Guest Bobby Watson

November

1—Spotlight in Jazz: Diverse
3—Movie: Martino Unstrung
4—A Conversation with Pat Martino (Free)
4—Pat Martino Quartet Featuring Eric Alexander and Tony Monaco
22—Christian McBride's Inside Straight

December

6—Kurt Elling with Laurance Hobgood Trio: "Dedicated to You"
31—New Year's Eve with Bobby Watson and Horizon feat. Victor Lewis, Terell Stafford, Edward Simon and Peter Washington

January

14—Movie: Sweet and Low Down
21—Mark O'Connor's Hot Swing: A Django Rheindhart Centennial Celebration
31—Stefon Harris and Blackout

February

13—An Evening with Branford Marsalis

March

7 to 9—Rufus Reid Artist in Residence
7—Rufus Reid Trio featuring Steve Allee & Duduka Fonseka with MU Jazz Ensemble
16—Movie: Anita O'Day: Life of a Jazz Singer

April

6—Movie, Double Feature: The Universal Mind of Bill Evans Plus Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together
11—Clayton Brothers Quintet
17—Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa Memorial Concert: Conrad Herwig's Latin Side All-Star Band: "Latin side of Miles, 'Trane, Herbie and Wane"   

Our Venues

• Murry's
• Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts
• The Blue Note
• Stephens College
• Jesse Auditorium