Joe Brazil Legacy

Mission Statement: Joe Brazil is a Jazz Music Legend and unsung Icon. Joe Brazil is a man of many firsts. Historically significant to Seattle he was the first Black Jazz Music Instructor at the University of Washington, in 1968. Joe Brazil was tasked to create a curriculum for His Jazz Music: 101 studies at the University of Washington, because there was no formal history of Jazz Music at the time. Along with his lectures, in classes that were always full, (and had a standing waiting list), Brazil often had famous musicians who were performing in town sit in and perform during class sessions. Making Brazil a very popular professor! Brazil also organized a music school, The Black Academy of Music, BAM. Housed and fiscally sponsored at historic Central Area Motivation Program, (CAMP). Brazil's influence in the Seattle Jazz Music Scene is still alive and well through the numerous musicians trained, instructed, and mentored by Brazil, and many of which are now instructing music students. Joe Brazil Legacy's mission is to raise awareness and pay homage to Joe Brazil for his talent, generosity, community activism and public service to the City of Seattle, and the Black Community.

The Joe Brazil Legacy organization, created to retain, preserve, and honor his achievements, through leadership, music and the business of music instruction, and community activism. Many of Seattle's local talented musicians of a certain age and era have been influenced by Joe Brazil either directly, or indirectly, and He always gets credit. Brazil's influence in the Seattle Jazz Music Scene is still alive and well through the numerous musicians still performing professionally today. We seek platforms, and create opportunities for musicians and community members to celebrate music and unite in the spirit of Mr. Joe Brazil. We have produced and participated in numerous musical community events in Seattle for the last four years.