MELISSA WALKER is a visionary, results-oriented leader and arts education advocate. In 2002, she was asked by WBGO Jazz 88 to conduct a workshop for Newark public school students and their parents to introduce them to jazz music. She asked the audience to strap on imaginary tool belts and together, “build a jazz house,” layering instrument by instrument. Since that first workshop, Walker has dedicated her life to making sure that every student receives a great arts education, crafting JAZZ HOUSE KiDS to bridge the gap in music instruction and place students on a level playing field with their peers from other communities.
Now in its third decade under Walker’s leadership, JAZZ HOUSE is one of the foremost nationally-acclaimed jazz education and performance organizations transforming lives using the power and legacy of jazz through world-class education and hundreds of performances each year that create avenues of access, learning, career development and community building. Recently featured on CBS Mornings, The Kelly Clarkson Show and celebrated by global superstar STING, the organization and students have received more than 150 awards and honors for excellence in jazz and jazz education. The JAZZ HOUSE has worked with close to 55,000 students and the organization’s graduates, some of whom are rising stars of the jazz world and music industry, have gone on to become community leaders and global citizens, empowering them to find their voices both on and off the stage long after they leave the JAZZ HOUSE classrooms.
With Walker at the helm along with her husband, 9-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist CHRISTIAN McBRIDE and Newport Jazz Festival artistic director serving as JAZZ HOUSE artistic director and board member, The JAZZ HOUSE has two locations: its headquarters in Montclair, and a satellite program that opened in 2022 in Lower Manhattan in collaboration with Trinity Church offering a free robust jazz education to NYC students, tripling the size and impact of its reach, while maintaining the organization’s mission driven commitment to excellence. The organization fosters a strong community of award-winning students, dedicated teachers, and first-rate professional musicians. Every day of the week through a series of in-school programs in New Jersey and out-of-school programs in Montclair and NYC, JAZZ HOUSE helps young people gain an artistic edge, fostering community leaders and global citizens who help build thriving communities.
JZZ HOUSE produces 150+ free public concerts per year to audiences close to 150,000, including the organization’s far-reaching cultural signature program, the award-winning MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL. The brainchild of Walker and now in its 16th year, it is the largest free jazz festival in the NYC area, attracting more than 25,000 attendees to downtown Montclair each year. Twelve miles from NYC, the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL features multiple summer days, 50 musical acts, 150 professional musicians, 150 emerging musician performers, multiple downtown stages, and 250 food + artisan vendors. The main stage performances are also rebroadcasted on SiriusXM Real Jazz for 1.8 million listeners.
A Brown University graduate and GRAMMY Award-winning jazz vocalist, Walker has been recognized by NJBiz as one of New Jersey’s “Best 50 Women in Business,” and received the Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero Award. In 2023, Walker was awarded the prestigious Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award, one of 11 individuals who give back to the community — unsung heroes from around New Jersey who demonstrate their passion and unstoppable commitment to serve the most vulnerable. In November 2024, Walker will be honored with the 92nd Street Y’s Extraordinary Women Award in the category of Inspiration of the Arts.
