Education Program Manager
Jazz vocalist and educator Rachel Azbell is the Education Program Manager at Jazz Arts Group. In this role, Rachel manages several of the educational programs Jazz Arts Group offers, including the Columbus Youth Jazz Program, the Columbus Community Jazz Band and the Columbus Youth Jazz Girls Project in addition to creating and managing new initiatives in the Jazz Academy and in the community, including the first inaugural JAZZ GIRLS DAY, the Jazz Academy Jam Sessions, and all vocal jazz offerings through the Jazz Academy. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Otterbein University, where she teaches applied commercial voice and a pop ensemble, The Anticipations.
With deep roots in the jazz tradition, Rachel seeks to put her own stamp on the standards while paying homage to the inspiring women that have come before her. Her rich, soulful tone is particularly inspired by jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald and Ohio-native Nancy Wilson. Rachel performs regularly in the Columbus, Ohio area and has been seen with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the Pete Mills Quintet, the Bobby Floyd Trio, and with her own group, the Rachel Azbell Quintet at venues such as the Southern Theatre, the Lincoln Theatre, Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza, the Columbus Jazz & Ribs Fest, Becky’s Barn, the Ginger Rabbit, Caffè Vivace and more. Rachel holds a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in addition to a Bachelors of Arts in Music from Denison University.
Education Program Manager
