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By Dominique McIndoe
Jazz is as American as apple pie and baseball. It can be argued that few other art forms are as integral and foundational to our country’s music culture. The genre usually conjures up images of its pioneers — Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, and Duke Ellington, among others. The Manassas Jazz Society brings a slice of this Americana to Prince William, and it has been brightening the lives of residents since the summer of 2021. The society really got off the ground in February 2022 when it was declared a 501(c)(3) public charity, and they made their mark during April, which is the nationwide Jazz Appreciation Month.
The Manassas Jazz Society is more than just a place to hear and enjoy music — it’s a space that shines a light on and promotes jazz and its subgenres through music education, live performance, hands-on group workshops, and private instruction. It was created and founded by Chase City native Theo Scott, a talented and extensively experienced musician who has studied music since childhood. Scott has performed all around the country due to his 20-year service in the U.S. Army. Scott also plays several instruments.
Because of his dedication and passion for the jazz art form, Scott sought to cultivate such knowledge through other musicians’ growth and progress.
“Our hands-on workshops for improving music performance are done through rehearsal techniques with a goal of a polished, more professional live performance — which by the way, can be applied to recording sessions as well,” says Scott. “Some of my personal band arrangements are used in the sessions. Students have the opportunity to learn scoring arrangements for their own bands.”
Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger honored the Manassas Jazz Society
during Black History Month. Photo Courtesy Manassas Jazz Society
The Manassas Jazz Society is not an exclusive club, even as its elegant name suggests. Rather than a membership requirement, the society is open to all kinds of musicians in the Prince William area who have some experience and read and perform at the intermediate music level. Instrumentation used in the hands-on workshops includes drums, percussion, bass, guitar, keyboards, trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophone, and electronic wind instruments.
“We are open for all ages where the music experience and reading ability is at an intermediate level, due to the somewhat complexity of the concepts and band arrangements,” says Scott. The most important thing for the society is being known for their love of music. “I can work with you ‘where you are.’ Patience, commitment, and consistency are the key points.”
Scott invests his own money, time, and resources into the Manassas Jazz Society, because he sees a future vision for the organization.
“We operate with a low overhead,” says Scott. “I am, for the time being, the sole provider of services. I’ve donated keyboards, drums, and other percussion instruments, as well as performance microphones and other music equipment for the workshops.”
Scott is also a member of the Prince William County Arts Council, and the organization has provided funding for the society as well.
Though the idea of expansion would be tempting, there are no current plans for expanding beyond the Manassas and Greater Prince William area. Outside of workshops, the Manassas Jazz Society has participated in several community events to further their mission. Scott is also involved in several meetings with band/music clinics in Manassas City Schools and Prince William County. The society is working with different music staff personnel who wish to explore teaching strategies to elevate the performance and other skill levels for students who would like to engage in music activities other than orchestra and symphonic ensemble.
Scott is scheduled to start a jazz clinic at Osbourn High School in Manassas in September, and in the fall of 2024, he will launch the MJS Musicians Exchange contingent on acquiring a permanent space. The Exchange will give musicians a space for individual practice, group rehearsals, networking, and other activities. There will be open spaces with a stage for large groups and rooms for smaller groups. The society truly seeks to broaden the horizons of aspiring musicians and music aficionados alike.
As the Manassas Jazz Society gets more exposure and demand in the area, Scott envisions a bright future for the organization: more events, even more specialized workshops, and the hiring of more music professionals in the local area as ad hoc instructors.
“A Manassas Jazz Society, Inc. (contemporary) Jazz Festival,” says Scott when asked where he sees the society in the next year. “Current and former students performing on stage with their own bands
playing their own band arrangements… MJS All-Star Band headlining the event!” In other words, the Manassas Jazz Society can only go up from here.
To find out more about the exciting new things in the works for the Manassas Jazz Society or take part in workshops, visit theoscottmusic.com or contact Theo Scott directly at manassasjazzsociety@comcast.net. Donations of any amount can be sent to The Manassas Jazz Society at TD Bank.
Dominique McIndoe (mcindoe@princewilliamliving.com) is fulltime editor in the DMV area and a lifelong writer.
