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Meet Paul and Chris Romaine of Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul and Chris Romaine.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Passionate about their vision of creating a unique jazz programs for teens, Paul and Chris Romaine founded the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts in late 1999 as a partnership. Beginning with just six students, the Small Group Program was launched, which gave the young musicians weekly classes and rehearsals with professional jazz musician mentors. Over the next few years, the program grew steadily, and summer camps and a Big Band program were added. In March of 2003, CCJA became a Colorado Nonprofit Corporation, and in early 2004 was granted 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS. The original small group program soon expanded to three locations throughout the metro area. Currently, there are 15 small groups offered during the school year at five different locations, and over 3000 youth have participated in this program.

Along the way, the summer camps continued to grow, and new programs such as educational outreach, expanded community performances, guided jam sessions, Near Peer Mentoring, Recording and Music Industry workshops, guest artist clinics, salons, vocal jazz, and KinderBop for preschoolers were added. Over the last 20 years, CCJA groups have performed for over 100,000 people, with the intention of creating unique musical opportunities for young musicians while also providing education and entertainment for the community at large. All of CCJA’s programs are directed by some of the region’s (and nation’s) most accomplished professional jazz musicians, who pass along their extensive knowledge and experience to the next generation.

Whether students go on to play professionally or for enjoyment, their lives are enriched and their creativity awakened by their participation in CCJA’s programs, as they develop decision-making, leadership, and collaborative skills that serve them for the rest of their lives.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not always smooth! Challenges have included difficulty finding appropriate, affordable space to rent for programs, serious health crisis for a year with founders’ daughter, constant need for fundraising, struggles to manage expansion with limited staff, working for over ten years without more staff beyond the two founders, finding ways to be more diverse, recessions, and now of course, the pandemic.

Please tell us about Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts.
CCJA gives young musicians life-changing experiences, mentored by authentic professional jazz musicians who help them reach whatever level of mastery they desire while feeling connected and supported as they explore their artistic selves. This non-profit organization cultivates musical and personal growth, nurtures joy and creative self-expression, builds community, and strives to make jazz relentlessly relevant.

CCJA is one of the nation’s top community jazz programs, with over 200 activities per year, such as public performances, a “pop up” jazz festival, significant outreach programs with schools, guest artist workshops, over 130 classes for youth, and online community offerings for all ages.

Beyond nurturing self-esteem, creativity, and confidence in our students, CCJA impacts the greater Denver community by providing new and exciting talent to the local music scene. About 20% of the youth who participate in our programs become professional musicians, and many of them have stayed in or returned to Denver. These exceptionally talented musicians are raising the level of the art form here, resulting in growth in jazz-related businesses. CCJA’s performances attract new listeners, and local businesses report to us that they attribute some of their economic vitality to the strength of the young community and the exposure of our students’ families to the music.

Major figures in the jazz world, including Maria Schneider, applaud our work and note that our community should be proud of itself for creating and supporting an organization like CCJA, which is the cornerstone of a healthy jazz eco-system for our local community. Most cities are struggling to create similar networks. CCJA also builds Denver’s reputation in the national music scene, and we have people across the nation who support and are devoted to both our organization and its participants.

Those who participate in CCJA go into the Denver community with valuable leadership skills, and we are actively involved in collaborating with other organizations to maintain Denver’s unique place in the “jazz world.” We are committed to collective leadership as the city strengthens its cultural vitality. CCJA is further committed to supporting Denver’s vibrancy by continually working to serve anyone, regardless of age, gender, geographic location, ability, economic level, and cultural background. Between the educational opportunities we offer, the wealth of young talent that we nurture, our commitment to the rich American art form that is jazz, and our multifaceted artistic community engagement, CCJA continues to be a valuable asset to the Denver community.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Chris: The day I “discovered” jazz. When I was in 7th grade, my band director wrote down the call letters to Denver’s jazz radio station at the time (KADX) and told me to go home, listen to it for a while, and then report back. I went home, and upon listening to the first song on the radio, I actually started to cry and felt an indescribable pull to the music. This set my life on a new track that continues to this day.

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