The Jazz Institute of Chicago is cultivating a new generation of jazz musicians. “It feels like I can go to him with any kind of question and he’ll give me the [answer] to improve,” says Brandon Harper, last year’s Kiewit-Wang Scholarship winner about his mentor Richard Johnson.

Johnson, and other experienced musicians, participate in the Jazz Institute’s Jazz Links Jam Session, performing improvisations on jazz standards with CPS students from 5th grade through high school.

Reset speaks with three students performing this evening at the showcase for May’s Jam Session and asks the executive director about the institute’s teaching philosophy.

GUESTS: Heather Ireland Robinson, executive director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago

Brandon Harper (piano), Zach Bezirgan (bass) and Oscar Evely (drums)