The Montgomery Jazz Alliance (MJA) is Central Alabama’s premier collective of world-class jazz musicians, delivering unforgettable performances for any occasion. Founded by trombonist Trevor Sikorski, saxophonist/pianist Tim Stuart, and guitarist/bassist Joe Lauziere, MJA unites top-tier performers and educators dedicated to keeping the region’s jazz scene thriving. Whether it’s a sophisticated set at a wedding or corporate event, a high-energy festival performance, or a deep dive into jazz education, we tailor each experience to captivate our audience. With flexible instrumentation and group sizes ranging from a jazz trio to a septet, MJA adapts seamlessly to any venue or event, ensuring the perfect sound and energy for every setting. Expect fiery solos, infectious grooves, and the kind of musical chemistry that turns every performance into an unforgettable experience—whether you're swinging to a straight-ahead standard, vibing to a Neo Soul groove, or getting lost in the textures of modern jazz.

MONTGOMERY, AL – The Montgomery Jazz Alliance delivered a powerful lecture and performance at MAP 360 Gallery in downtown Montgomery, AL, on February 19, 2025, highlighting the deep connection between jazz and the Civil Rights Movement for 25 eighth-grade students and chaperones from The Dalton School in NYC. Part of the Dalton Global Initiatives Tour, the event featured poet, author, and human rights activist Marco Mays, resident MAP 360 artist RC Hagens, and MJA members Tim Stuart (saxophone and keyboard), Trevor Sikorski (trombone), and Joe Lauziere (electric bass), along with special guest Juantez Robinson (drums).

The group began with an overview of jazz history as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement, tracing its roots from Congo Square in New Orleans through the swing and bebop eras of the Harlem Renaissance, into the soul jazz and hard bop movements of the 1960s, and culminating in modern jazz’s freedom of artistic expression with Kenny Garrett’s Sing a Song of Song. Sikorski illustrated jazz’s role in community expression with a demonstration of New Orleans Second Line traditions through Joe Avery’s Blues. Stuart followed with a discussion on Work Song by Nat Adderley, explaining how jazz musicians used their music to spotlight cultural issues and critique social injustices, particularly racial inequality, as the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum—especially in Montgomery and Birmingham.

Students clapped, danced, and participated in a lively post-performance Q&A, engaging deeply with the historical and cultural significance of jazz. The Alliance, along with Mays and Hagens, expressed gratitude to MAP 360, The Dalton School, and MAP 360 Director Geneva Watford for hosting the event and looks forward to future collaborations.