Milwaukee Jazz Institute

MJI PRESENTS: DAKARAI BARCLAY QUARTET
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Bar Centro (804 E Center St, Milwaukee)

Chicago meets Milwaukee for a stellar night of jazz.

The Quartet features:
Dakarai Barclay - trumpet
Mark Davis - piano
Jeff Hamann - bass
Kyle Swan - drums

https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/event-details/mji-presents-dakarai-barclay-quartet

MILWAUKEE JAZZ INSTITUTE JAM SESSION

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Jazz Gallery, 926 E Center Street, Milwaukee

Join MJI faculty artists Mark Davis and Jeff Hamann for a jam session open to musicians and listeners of all ages. Free admission! Donations welcome.

https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/event-details/mji-jam-session-49

Don’t miss their Milwaukee performance on SATURDAY NIGHT! Gustavo Cortiñas Fouilloux featuring Dave King and Isaiah Spencer

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/desafocandenterecords/2208412

Today we're celebrating the birthday of Penny Goodwin, a Milwaukee-born vocalist whose music continues to find new audiences decades after it was first recorded.

Known for her soulful voice and unique blend of jazz, funk, and R&B, Penny recorded music that has become highly sought after by collectors and admired by musicians around the world.

Her 1974 album Portrait of a Gemini remains a favorite among listeners who appreciate artists willing to cross genres and create something truly their own.

Have you heard Penny's music before? If so, we'd love to know which song introduced you to her.

Learn more about Penny here >> https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/mke-jazz-history/penny-goodwin

Some of the best summer memories start in a rehearsal room.

Imagine your student spending a week making music with other young musicians, learning from professional jazz artists, building confidence, and discovering what they're capable of in a supportive environment.

At our Summer Jazz Camp students play in ensembles, explore improvisation, strengthen their musicianship, and form friendships with peers who share their passion for music.

Camp runs June 22–26, and all experience levels are welcome.

Register today >> https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/summer-jazz-camp

Big crowd, beautiful night, and so much fun for this group of Milwaukee Jazz Institute youth students at Bay View Jazz Fest tonight. Proud of these students and all the music they shared at The Vine at Humboldt Park.

Today we're celebrating the birthdays of two remarkable pianists with deep Milwaukee roots: Lynne Arriale and Rick Germanson.

Before earning international acclaim, both artists began their musical journeys right here in Milwaukee. Lynne Arriale went on to become one of the most respected voices in contemporary jazz piano, known for her lyrical playing, acclaimed recordings, and decades of influence as a performer and educator. Learn more about Lynne >> https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/mke-jazz-history/lynn-arriale

Rick Germanson built a celebrated career as a pianist, composer, and bandleader, sharing stages with some of jazz's biggest names while developing recognition for his deep swing, masterful technique, and commitment to jazz tradition. Learn more about Rick >> https://www.milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/mke-jazz-history/rick-germanson

Join us in wishing both happy birthdays and celebrating the rich musical legacy they continue to inspire.

Did you discover Lynne or Rick in Milwaukee, or later in their careers? Tell us your story!

Over the years MJI Summer Jazz Camp has done one thing exceptionally well: connect young musicians with professional jazz artists who treat them like the real musicians they are.

June 22–26 at Marquette University High School, middle and high school students work directly with a professional jazz artists from Milwaukee and Chicago to develop improvisation, ensemble-playing, listening, and musical communication skills they bring back to every school performance afterward.

Families come back year after year because the transformation is real.

All experience levels welcome. Registration is open >> milwaukeejazzinstitute.org/summer-jazz-camp

We’re looking forward to this!

The BAY VIEW JAZZ FEST is a DIY festival that features multiple groups during the night of the spring BAY VIEW GALLERY NIGHT, created by MILWAUKEE JAZZ VISION in partnership with the MILWAUKEE JAZZ INSTITUTE. The festival provides an opportunity for Milwaukee’s finest musicians to be showcased to the community at large. BVJF offers the general public the opportunity to experience the best of today’s new live jazz and creative music for free in a club setting. Bay View provides an ideal festival experience, featuring groups performing all night at multiple venues in close proximity to one another. On this night, the BVJF continues to redeem the rich jazz heritage of Milwaukee, WI.

Performance and venue schedule: https://bvgn.org/bay-view-jazz-fest/

Today, we celebrate 100 years of Miles Davis, a musician who didn’t just play jazz but reshaped it again and again.

From cool jazz to fusion, Miles showed the world that growth and reinvention are part of the art. He challenged expectations, trusted creativity over comfort, and inspired generations of musicians to find their own sound.

His influence still echoes through every jam session, late-night practice, and fearless solo.

Here’s to 100 years of innovation, courage, and music that still feels ahead of its time. Here's to 100 years of Miles.

If you could only play one Miles Davis track for someone who’s never heard him before what would it be?