There is no tougher job than succeeding an icon – unless you are Jim Mair who has taken the instrumental jazz music level at Kansas City Kansas Community College to its highest level ever.
For 27 years, Marlin Cooper had built the program into one of the foremost in the Midwest – to the point that he has been elected to the Music Educators Hall of Fame and the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame.
As Cooper’s successor, Mair has not only continued the high standards of the program but taken it to even higher levels, levels that have earned him the 2013 Henry Louis Award of Excellence given annually to a faculty member.
“It’s humbling when you look at the greatness of Henry Louis and the past recipients, John Ryan, Deb Taylor and Kris Hearn,” says Mair. “But my job is easy because of my great colleagues, the great support of Dr. (Cherilee) Walker and the greatest students in the world.
“I love the students, a genuine love for them. There’s such a great diversity of personalities. One of my best trumpet players wants to be a deep sea welder and will take the welding program here. How cool is that? So many interesting kids with interesting backgrounds.”
In his 14 years as Director of Jazz and Instrumental Music, Mair has founded:
- The Kansas City Jazz Summit – a 3-day festival and clinics bringing middle, high school and college bands in for performances and adjudication from Kansas, Missouri and other surrounding states.
- Summer Jazz Camp – 14 years running, it brings talented young musicians to the KCKCC campus for a week of studying with top professionals.
- Kansas City High School All-Star Jazz Ensemble – founder and organizer.
- Jazz by the Lake – A series of monthly concerts that have drawn standing room crowds to the KCKCC Conference Center and will be televised in 2013.
- Music Scholars– Music lessons provided underserved youth in the KCKCC service area on Wednesday afternoons.
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