For more than 40 years, William “Doc” Jones has been a professional jazz musician, music educator, and community leader dedicated to using music as a tool for education, empowerment, and unity.

A Chicago native who relocated to Arizona in 1986, Doc Jones has spent his career performing, teaching, and building programs that expand access to music for young people—especially in underserved communities. He is the founder of the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation and the Scottsdale Jazz Festival, and a long-time cultural ambassador for UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, helping elevate Arizona’s role in the global jazz movement.

As an educator, Doc has worked directly with thousands of students, creating pathways for music education when schools and systems could not. As a community leader and producer, he has built sustainable models that use jazz festivals and cultural events to fund education, support teachers, and strengthen communities.

His life’s work is grounded in one belief:
When teachers are supported, and students have access to music, communities thrive