Jennifer Grantham

Biography

Jennifer Grantham is an educator and musician based in New York City, and is
currently serving as the Program and Production Coordinator for Jazz House KiDS
newest partnership, Jazz House @ Trinity, located in lower Manhattan.

Grantham’s career began in Michigan, where, while attending Central Michigan
University studying saxophone with Professor John Nichol, she discovered the impact
one can have on the lives of children through music education. She continued her
education at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where
she was able to explore jazz studies and jazz education with Professor Rick VanMatre
and Dr. James Bunte. After graduating with her Masters degree, she worked for the
Preparatory Department at CCM, going on to found the CCM Summer Jazz Academy,
the Cincinnati Youth Jazz Orchestra, and manage a thriving jazz program that impacted
the lives of hundreds of kids throughout her tenure. In addition to her work at CCM
Preparatory Department, Jennifer was an in-demand private lesson instructor, working
with students at all levels, from beginners creating their first, wonderful sounds to
student artists with burgeoning careers in jazz and classical performance.
Jennifer’s crowning achievement while in Cincinnati was being selected to serve on the
council that produced the We Create Jazz festival, a women–focused jazz performance
and education event throughout the greater–Cincinnati area. In addition to managing
events and marketing for this multi–venue, multi–date festival, Jennifer founded and
directed Cincinnati’s first all–female big band.

As a classical and commercial musician in Cincinnati, Grantham performed with the
Springfield Symphony, Seven Hills Sinfonietta, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra,
Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, the Flying Circus Big Band, and with
international performers such as Idina Menzel and The Temptations. Grantham has also
performed at numerous regional, national, and international conferences of the North
American Saxophone Alliance and World Saxophone Congress, and was a featured
soloist at the Midwest Clinic. Additionally, Jennifer performs in a variety of other styles
and settings, including salsa, funk and fusion, wedding bands, and as a reed player, has
performed in over 50 musicals.

Bachelor of Music (2001), Central Michigan University
Master of Music (2005), University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
Doctor of Musical Arts (anticipated 2023), University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music