About the Texas Jazz All Stars

The best young musicians of DFW
playing the best jazz in in the world.

The Texas Jazz All Stars (TeJAS) is a teenage all-star group of saxes, screaming brass, and a roaring rhythm section. TeJAS is on a mission to:

  • ENRICH the North Texas arts scene by preserving the American art of big band jazz.
  • ENTERTAIN the community with low cost (often no cost) jazz, and to
  • EDUCATE kids with advanced, accelerated training in addition to what they get in school.

Members are selected by audition, or based on instructor recommendations and their All Region/All State standings. This process yields an elite lineup able to perform college-level and professional level repertoire.

Since inception, TeJAS has performed in state-of-the-art auditoriums of local churches, and with guest artists from Lincoln Center, Stan Kenton, the US Naval School of Music, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Count Basie.

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Listen to some TeJAS performance highlights.

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Listen to TeJAS perform “Apple Strudel and Cheese”.

Texas Jazz All Stars members have been well-represented in Texas All State ensembles, and alumni have gone on to Juilliard, Eastman, Manhattan School of Music and Berklee. Several have stayed closer to home, continuing their studies at UTA, TCU and the prestigious jazz program at the University of North Texas. Nine KAYJO alumni have advanced to the world-renowned UNT One O’clock Lab Band.

Fourteen former players have been through the rigorous and competitive audition process to make elite military ensembles, including the US Army “Pershing’s Own,” the top band of the US Navy and the US Marine Drum & Bugle Corps.

One former member is now in the pit orchestra for the touring Broadway production of “The Prom,” one is a working rock’n’roll guitarist, and one former intern is in the Fort Worth Symphony.

Not all our super achievers are professional musicians. Several ex-All Stars play recreationally while pursuing careers as engineers and accountants. Other distinguished alumni include a first grade teacher, a USAF fighter pilot, and the senior pastor of Lamar Baptist Church in Arlington.

We frequently entertain at local senior living communities and nursing homes, as well as at car shows, water parks, fitness expos, and more.

In addition to performing under the direction of a demanding jazz clinician, students enjoy one-on-one mentoring with college interns; and participate in master classes, improvisation labs and recording sessions.

All-Region or All-Stater?

The Texas Jazz All Stars is an opportunity for you to excel even more!

Local business?

The Texas Jazz All Stars can help you promote your business!

Interested in supporting
The Texas Jazz All Stars?

Your tax-deductible donation can help us keep tuition low for families and concerts free for the community.