Willard Jenkins is an independent arts consultant, artistic director/curator, producer, writer and editor, operating under his ‘Open Sky Jazz’ banner. During his extremely productive career, Mr. Jenkins has served as artistic director for the Tri-C JazzFest, BeanTown Jazz Festival, Lost Jazz Shrines, and Jazz in Progress. He collaborated on ‘African Rhythms’, Randy Weston’s autobiography. He has taught Jazz history at Cleveland State University and the online course ‘Imagine Africa’ at Kent State .

He is currently the artistic director of the DC Jazz Festival, one of the premiere Jazz festivals in the world as well as the author of his blog ‘Independant Ear’ (which is full of incredibly insightful content, I highly recommend).

www.openskyjazz.com