Institute of Jazz StudiesPartner

Image: Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University–Newark’s John Cotton Dana Library. c/o Theo Anderson

Who We Are

Pioneering Jazz scholar and avid collector, Dr. Marshall Stearns, Esq. founded the Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) in 1952—an era when Jazz was not widely accepted amongst academics.

Stearn’s sizable collection was moved from his New York City apartment to the Rutgers University-Newark campus in 1957—a move that was put in motion by then Rutgers University president, Mason Gross, through the strong urging of faculty who supported the art form.

To date, IJS is widely recognized as a global leader in Jazz archives. On January 23, 2017, to coincide with the opening of Express Newark, IJS curated a signature show of instruments, artifacts, sound recordings, and material culture many of which were displayed for the first time in its history. The exhibition, Records at Play: The Institute of Jazz Studies @50, debuted in Express Newark to celebrate 50 years of archiving jazz collectibles.

What We Do

Upholding a mission to collect, preserve, and make accessible the heritage of jazz, IJS strives to make its ever-growing archives accessible to everyone interested in learning more about the art form—from members of academia to the general public. From roundtable discussions to research and archival fellowships, IJS continues to keep the art of jazz deeply rooted in Newark.

Express Newark like jazz, requires that individuals work collectively to create the ugly beauty which is reflective of human experience. The Institute of Jazz Studies is proud to be a part of this incredible “third space” where artists bare their souls creating works that help us understand them and by so doing, better understand ourselves and each other.

Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, Institute of Jazz Studies