After months of careful deliberation, the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance officially announced on April 2 the relocation of their Institute of Jazz Performance to Loyola’s campus.

“After 20 years, we have found our home here in New Orleans,” said Thelonious Monk Jr., the institute’s chairman of the Board of Trustees and son of the legendary jazz musician.

Loyola Provost Walter Harris welcomed the institute to their “new home. It is a sign of courage and integrity for the institute to make a commitment to jazz, New Orleans and Loyola,” he said.

Not only does in the institute believe it will foster Loyola, it plans to fulfill its “Commitment to New Orleans” initiative, the largest in the institute’s 20-year history, through intensive jazz education throughout local public schools. The institute will also lead the creation of a consortium with other area universities, including Tulane, University of New Orleans, Southern, Delgado, Dillard and Xavier, with jazz as a “unifying cultural force,” according to Herbie Hancock, institute chairman and award-winning jazz musician.

“The possibility of bringing New Orleans back is not just a possibility – it’s going to happen,” Hancock said.

“It’s the right place and the right time for the institute to come to this city,” said Congressman William Jefferson. “It’s part of the revitalization.”

Senior vice-president and general manager of Black Entertainment Television Digital Networks Paxton Baker said his network will commit a multi-million dollar contribution to Loyola, including opportunities to broadcast and chronicle the institution during its stay. Baker, whose grandmother and mother were born in New Orleans, said he realized the city’s need for the institution after witnessing the displacement of his family due to Hurricane Katrina.

“It makes all the sense in the world for this organization to be headquartered here,” he said. “We have every desire to be here in this community. It was an easy decision for us.”

Moving from their eight-year residence at the University of Southern California, the institute considered offers from competing schools such as Columbia and Harvard universities before accepting Loyola’s offer.

“Those people don’t love that music the way we do,” said the institute’s artistic director Terence Blanchard.

“Where else can you go?” asked Monk. “This is the birthplace of our music – America’s music.”

“I can’t imagine jazz anywhere else other than the place it was born,” added Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu. “What (the institute) doesn’t realize yet is that New Orleans has a way of getting up in you and not letting you go.”

The institute’s incoming class of fellows include Vadim Neselovski from Ukraine; Joe Johnson of Independence, Mo.; Colin Stranahan of Denver; Jake Saslow of Long Island, N.Y.; Gordon Av of Carmichael, Calif., Johnaye Kendrick of San Diego; and David Mooney of New Orleans.

“It’s our mission to foster the next generation of jazz greats,” said Hancock.

Music industries professor John Snyder, regarded as the one responsible for landing the institute on Loyola’s campus, received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

“Music creates community, jazz creates individuals,” he said. “We’re here to celebrate both.”

Developed by the Monk family in 1986, the institute provides college-level training taught by jazz masters for young world-class musicians. It also aims to fulfill the void of arts and music in public school classrooms.

Alex Woodward can be reached at [email protected].

Artistic Director Terence Blanchard performs last Monday.