A Tribe for Jazz and COSI Break New Ground with Mobile Jazz Lab Pilot Program

Get ready to witness history in the making as Columbus becomes the hub of a groundbreaking fusion of arts and STEM education! A Tribe for Jazz, in partnership with COSI’s Virtual Reality Education Department, is all set to launch the highly anticipated Mobile Jazz Lab Program this month. Promising to revolutionize after-school programming as we know it, Jazz Lab Mobile offers an innovative and immersive learning experience for students.

What can students expect from this cutting-edge program? Picture this: in the third week of each Jazz Lab session, students, known as Jazz Lab Techs (JLTs), will embark on a journey through interactive VR soundscapes. Students will explore the differences between sound in physical and digital environments, engage with VR artifacts, and immerse themselves in a virtual jam session. They’ll also step into Virtuoso, a virtual music stage where they can grab an instrument and create music in innovative, immersive ways.

One of the most exciting aspects of the VR experience is an exclusive 180-degree virtual reality jazz quintet performance, shot at the iconic Blu Note Jazz Café in Columbus. Created in collaboration between COSI VR and A Tribe for Jazz, this immersive jam session will transport students onto the stage with the musicians, allowing them to experience every note and rhythm firsthand.

But it doesn’t stop there. This program goes beyond conventional learning by focusing on the transformative impact it has on students. Through live music, interactive VR, and hands-on exploration, students are not just learning about sound—they’re experiencing it. These immersive experiences inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and challenge students to think critically and creatively about how sound interacts with the world around them.

“By exploring sound science through Jazz music and VR, students develop essential skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and systems thinking,” says Stephanie Matthews, Executive Director of A Tribe for Jazz. “The combination of artistic expression and STEM education opens new pathways for them to understand complex concepts in a way that is engaging and meaningful.”

“COSI is thrilled to partner with A Tribe for Jazz to bring the innovative Mobile Jazz Lab Program to life. By blending the art of jazz with the immersive power of virtual reality, we’re not only enhancing students’ appreciation for music but also igniting their curiosity in STEAM,” said Tres Carter, Director of Creative Engagement. “This cutting-edge program will inspire the next generation of thinkers and creators, showing them the limitless possibilities when art and science intersect.”

For more information regarding this program visit www.atribeforjazz.org. IG: @atribeforjazz_ and FB: A Tribe for Jazz.

About A Tribe for Jazz

The mission of A Tribe for Jazz is to preserve the legacy and advance the future of jazz through visual storytelling, live and virtual performances, education, and community engagement. For more information, visit www.atribeforjazz.org. IG: @atribeforjazz_ and FB: A Tribe for Jazz.