About TKA Jazz
Unmatched Experiences.
At The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Jazz Ensemble is an award-winning and nationally recognized program, but it is far more than a band.
It is a standard of excellence.
It is a launching pad for young artists.
It is a laboratory for leadership.
It is a movement redefining what music education can be.
TKA Jazz is driven by the pursuit:
To create Unmatched Experiences.
Every rehearsal is intentional.
Every performance is purposeful.
Every collaboration is transformational.
This is not ordinary music education.
This is immersion at the highest level.
"The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble is not your traditional school band. They are a catalyst for making dreams come true."
- Mike McGann, Legends Radio 100.3 Host
Preserving the Past. Promoting the Future.
TKA Jazz stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation. We honor the giants of jazz while equipping the next generation to carry the music forward.
Transformative People
Through world-class residencies and masterclasses, our students learn directly from some of the most influential figures in music:
Jeremy Jordan
Wycliffe Gordon
Wendy Moten
Wayne Bergeron
Arturo Sandoval
Nestor Torres
Kirk Whalum
Nicole Henry
These are not distant names in a textbook. They are mentors in the rehearsal room. They challenge our students to rise to professional standards. They demand excellence. They model artistry at the highest level.
When students sit a few feet away from greatness, their expectations permanently change. These encounters give students professional-level expectations, artistic clarity, and a glimpse into what excellence truly requires.
This is what we mean by Unmatched Experiences.
"Being mentored by legends redefined what I believed was possible."
- Maddie Begin ’25 Alum
Transformative Travel
Great music deserves great stages.
TKA Jazz performs and studies in major cultural cities including:
New York City
Washington D.C.
Boston
Atlanta
Miami
West Palm Beach
Travel is not a field trip. It is a classroom without walls. Students perform on meaningful stages, engage with professionals, and experience the heartbeat of jazz where it was shaped.
Travel expands perspective.
Performance builds poise.
Exposure fuels ambition.
"These are not your normal trips. They are defining moments in my child’s education and growth.."
- Mr. & Mrs. Horne, Jazz Parents
Transformative Performances
Performance is where preparation meets purpose.
Our signature events include:
Night of Jazz Concert Series
Runout Concerts
Downtown Community Performances
Every stage becomes an opportunity to serve, inspire, and elevate.
Artistry for All
We believe every student deserves access to the highest level of music education and performance opportunities whether they pursue music professionally or apply its lessons elsewhere.
Under the leadership of Directors Wes Lowe & Mickey Smith Jr, students receive innovative, industry-aligned instruction that bridges classroom learning with real-world application.
This includes:
Masterclasses and performances with industry professionals
Collaborations with organizations such as:
The Kravis Center
Legends Radio 100.3
The Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook
The Yamaha Corporation
The Songbook Academy
Professional recording sessions with music released on public streaming platforms
Students are trained not only in musicianship, but also in:
Artist & Repertoire development
Personal branding
Professionalism
Audience engagement
Excellence under pressure
This is preparation for the real world.
This is Unmatched.
More Than Music
Jazz is the vehicle.
Leadership is the outcome.
TKA Jazz intentionally cultivates life skills that extend far beyond the stage:
· Discipline.
· Accountability.
· Confidence.
· Emotional intelligence.
· Resilience.
· Service.
· Creativity.
· Perseverance.
Students learn how to listen deeply.
How to adapt quickly.
How to lead confidently.
How to serve humbly.
We are not simply producing musicians.
We are developing dynamic young leaders who will elevate every space they enter.
"We are not just building musicians. We are developing dynamic young Christian leaders who will positively impact the world."
- Wes Lowe, Director
A Beacon for the Future of Music Education
TKA Jazz is quickly becoming a national model for immersive, purpose-driven music education.
It preserves the past.
It promotes the future.
It bridges legacy with innovation.
It invites students into rooms they never imagined entering and equips them to belong there.
This is an ensemble.
This is an experience.
This is a calling.
And at its core is a promise we refuse to compromise:
Unmatched Experiences.
“The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble is a gift and inspiration to all who love Jazz.”
— Arturo Sandoval, Grammy-winning Jazz great