Gift of Jazz is a Colorado 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization established in 1995
Our Mission
Gift of Jazz is a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established exclusively to enrich the community through the creation, promotion, and preservation of the art of jazz in the Rocky Mountain Region and to broaden the audience for jazz music through jazz education and outreach.
David Froman
PRESIDENT
Serving on the Board since March of 2008, David has been involved in nearly every aspect of the music business, playing professionally for the past twenty-five years in addition to various stints as a jazz festival producer, jazz critic and radio personality. He founded and operated a successful Internet marketing company – and has presided over other Colorado non-profit boards.
Nicolette Andres
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
With a degree in music on violin from the University of Puget Sound, Nicolette has followed many different paths in music to find connection, meaning and culture in creative ways. She has performed in internationally-touring band Abney Park, runs her own studio of private students, and studies traditional folk music of Norway. Nicolette joined the Gift of Jazz in 2023.
Cam Martin
VICE PRESIDENT
Cam joined the Gift of Jazz Board in 2021 after 34 years in the Air Quality Control industry. He played trumpet in college before the demands of his engineering and science coursework forced him to set the horn aside. Since moving to Denver Cam has picked music up again, and plays in local big bands and other groups, including a 19 year stint with the Sam Bivens Jazz Orchestra.
Ned Avery
SECRETARY
A music educator with 21 years of directing school bands, Ned’s education includes degrees in music from UNC, WWU and UNT. Semi-retired, he remains a part-time instructor. Ned also conducts and plays trumpet with both the Rocky Mountain Brassworks and the Thornton Community Band, while also serving on both non-profit boards of same. Ned joined The Gift of Jazz board in 2010.
Tenia Nelson
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
A pianist, percussionist and educator, Tenia has sixteen plus years teaching experience across all age levels. She received her B.M. Education Degree from Metro State University of Denver in 2004 and her Masters of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2010. She is the recipient of the JJA Jazz Hero Award, 2023.
Jan White
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Jan joined the Gift of Jazz Board in 2015. She is originally from Bethlehem, PA where her love of music started early. A graduate of Colorado State University’s Clothing and Textile program Jan, owner of JM Designs, is a designer, custom clothing/dressmaker and popular sewing instructor. She resides in the Denver area with her well-known Great Pyrenees rescue dog “Basie.”
Carmen Sandim
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Mario Rivera
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Mario joined the Board in 2022, and is a guitar player who considers himself a lifelong student of music. He played rhythm guitar in a jazz quintet, Flat Out Jazz, for 10 years. Mario worked as a program evaluator for 30 years. In 2022, he retired from the Colorado Department of Education, where he evaluated the implementation of school mental health programs.
Tom Ogunribido
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Tom, “El RastaSalsa,” is a positively energetic Salsa and Bachata Instructor based in Denver, CO. Tom created Somos dance studio in Aurora, CO. He also co-facilitates the Colorado Afro-Latin Dance & Arts Collective, a 3-day, international dance conference of the highest caliber. As a musician with origins from Nigeria, West Africa, Tom has been deeply immersed in music and dance for over 20 years. Tom is unwaveringly passionate about creating community through music and dance.
Jan Cleveland
TREASURER & DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS
As an actor, singer and musician, Jan has performed in films, regional theaters and nightclubs throughout the U.S. She has released 2 full-length albums. Her group G.A.M.E.jazz is now working on their recording of famous latin jazz tunes. In her law career Ms. Cleveland has served as legal counsel to Boards of Directors in the private, public and non-profit sectors and assisted businesses with restructuring, turnarounds and expansion.
Michael Snodgrass
DIRECTOR OF JAZZ FOR THE SCHOOLS ADAMS 14
Michael Snodgrass retired as the band director at Kearney Middle School (Commerce City Colorado) in 2022. He is a freelance musician and serves on the board of Gift of Jazz and the Thornton Community Band. Michael earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Metropolitan State University and a Masters degree in Conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. He is a recipient of the Mile High Teacher Award (2005).