Vision Statement
Central PA Friends of Jazz vision is to be the leading and premier organization in Central PA to present, preserve, and promote live jazz by local, regional, national, and international artists for a diverse audience.

History
Formed in May of 1980, the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz, Inc. is dedicated to the principle that jazz, one of the few original American art forms, should be preserved, fostered, and made available for the enjoyment of all. The idea for the jazz society was conceived over two decades ago when Jack Snavely, Lee C. Swartz, Russ Neff, Steve Rudolph, and a number of other area musicians and fans met to support local jazz performances. This group created a viable organization which exceeded 350 members after the first year. Today's nearly 1000 paying members are the result of the efforts of an amazingly active core of volunteers who have made CPFJ the "jazz service organization" for Central Pennsylvania. Since 1993, the CPFJ office has been run by Dave Lazorcik.

The efforts of CPFJ have contributed greatly to the growth of quality jazz and related arts in Central Pennsylvania. CPFJ's promotion of concerts and educational programs featuring world-class jazz artists has also inspired many promosing young area musicians to great heights including York, PA native Tim Warfield.

Central Pennsylvania Jazz Festival
One of the organization's major accomplishments has been the annual Central Pennsylvania Jazz Festival, which has been held every June since 1981. The Festival hosts three days of major concerts, clinics, youth concerts, historic films, riverboat jazz cruises, the JazzWalk (held nightly in various downtown locations), Jazz in the Sanctuary, and much more. Over 30 bands perform a variety of jazz styles in over 20 different venues.

Concert Series
CPFJ's monthly concert series has become a popular attraction in the Central Pennsylvania area. Featured on the program with the internationally-known artists are area professional bands, the CPFJ Youth Bands, and various high school and college jazz ensembles. Most of the artists that have appeared for CPFJ would never have played in this area without the involvement and promotion of the society.

A few of the 1000+ featured artists at past festivals and concerts include Nat Adderly, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Ray Anderson, Kenny Barron, Louie Bellson, Art Blakey, Terence Blanchard, JoAnne Brackeen, Michael Brecker, Ray Brown, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Cyrus Chestnut, Chick Corea, Joey DeFrancesco, Buddy DeFranco, Bob Dorough, Paquito D'Rivera, Peter Erskine, Jon Faddis, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Dexter Gordon, Stephane Grappelli, Slide Hampton, Roy Hargrove, Tom Harrell, Barry Harris, Shirley Horn, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Ahmad Jamal, J.J. Johnson, Hank Jones, Branford Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis, Jack McDuff, Nicholas Payton, Marian McPartland, Anita O'Day, Oregon, Flip Phillips, Tito Puente, Flora Purim, Sun Ra, Joshua Redman, Max Roach, Red Rodney, Sonny Rollins, Pancho Sanchez, Mongo Santamaria, John Scofield, Jimmy Smith, Terell Stafford, Mike Stern, Sonny Stitt, Ira Sullivan, Arthur Taylor, Clark Terry, Steve Turre, McCoy Tyner, Dave Weckl, an!

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Civic Organizations and Community Involvement
Through the years, CPFJ has been active in supporting other nonprofit groups through joint presentations or the contribution of jazz musicians for fundraising events. The Sertona Club, public radio station WITF, Harrisburg Area Community College, the Boys and Girls Club of Central PA, Heart Association, Harrisburg Riverfront People's Park, numerous elementary and high schools, Harrisburg Senators AA baseball team, "Pride of the Susquehanna" Riverboat Society, MetroArts (now Jump Street Arts Development Center), Market Square Concerts, Allied Arts, Harrisburg Arts Association, and the Harrisburg Symphony, among many others, have benefitted from CPFJ's community involvement.

Education
Our continuing dedication to jazz education has led to the creation of two improvising youth ensembles, led by Ron Waters and Curt Sipe, and an all-star big band. CPFJ also awards annual scholarships to promising jazz students and presents jazz workshops for area school music students and band directors. CPFJ also co-sponsors the Harrisburg Boys & Girls Club Music Program, which provides free weekly music lessons and free instruments. Started in 2000, the program now has 20 participants, with more on the waiting list. In 2001, CPFJ sponsored its first Annual Jazz Camp, primarily targeting students at the middle and high school level. This 3-Day camp is unique in the sense that it is the only one of its kind held in conjunction with a major 3-Day Festival. The camp, conducted by an all-star jazz faculty, gives students an opportunity to learn about jazz improvisation.