By Birka Chen
For JB Dyas, jazz education is about more than teaching scales or technique. It’s about knowing how to collaborate and how to stand out, and how to carry that lesson past the stage and into life.
Throughout a career spanning several decades, Dyas has made quite the name for himself. Dyas is vice president of education and curriculum development at UCLA’s Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and serves as co-director of LA’s All-City Jazz Band.
“These young jazz musicians are right on the absolute cutting edge of jazz today,” Dyas said. “I’m teaching them what’s happened, and they’re teaching me what’s happening.”
Dyas said that the purpose that comes with teaching is what attracted him to the profession. While living in Florida as a working musician, Dyas became increasingly unfulfilled. It was a fated phone call during a conversation with his mentor that landed Dyas his first teaching gig as a guitar and bass teacher. He hasn’t looked back since.
A longtime educator, Dyas believes that jazz can teach core American values such as collaboration, unity in diversity, listening to others and hard work. He said that UCLA’s diversity makes it unique, with students from all over the world and from all different walks of life.
“Jazz is the great equalizer,” Dyas said. “The only thing that matters in jazz is—can you swing?”
The prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute is not only a place for up-and-coming jazz musicians to hone their craft, but is also a hub for promoting music education in the community. The Peer-to-Peer program is one such initiative that Dyas oversees. This program allows high school musicians to tour with major visiting artists around the country, spreading the gospel of jazz.
“There’s probably no better example of democracy than a jazz ensemble,” Dyas said. “It’s individual freedom, but with responsibility to the group.”
When asked about being named Jazz Educator of the Year by Downbeat Magazine, Dyas expressed that it is an honor to join his mentors Jamey Aebersold and David Baker in the Hall of Fame.
“It is truly humbling to receive this recognition,” Dyas said. “I share this award with everyone at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz: our staff, supporters and my colleagues at the Herb Alpert School of Music … for making what I do possible.”