Montgomery Jazz Alliance:
Uniting Musicians, educating students, inspiring audiences
Uniting Musicians, educating students, inspiring audiences
The Montgomery Jazz Alliance (MJA) is Central Alabama’s premier collective of world-class jazz musicians, delivering unforgettable performances for any occasion. Founded by trombonist Trevor Sikorski, saxophonist/pianist Tim Stuart, and guitarist/bassist Joe Lauziere, MJA unites top-tier performers and educators dedicated to keeping the region’s jazz scene thriving. Whether it’s a sophisticated set at a wedding or corporate event, a high-energy festival performance, or a deep dive into jazz education, we tailor each experience to captivate our audience. With flexible instrumentation and group sizes ranging from a jazz trio to a septet, MJA adapts seamlessly to any venue or event, ensuring the perfect sound and energy for every setting. Expect fiery solos, infectious grooves, and the kind of musical chemistry that turns every performance into an unforgettable experience—whether you're swinging to a straight-ahead standard, vibing to a Neo Soul groove, or getting lost in the textures of modern jazz.
MONTGOMERY, AL — Shoppers and music lovers alike were treated to a vibrant afternoon of live jazz as the Montgomery Jazz Alliance took the stage at the Dexter Ave Micro Market last weekend, Apr 29th, 2025. The ensemble transformed the breezy marketplace into an open-air jazz club, delivering a rich blend of styles from bebop to funk, soul jazz, and classic ballads.
Led by trombonist Trevor Sikorski, the group featured Tim Stuart on piano, Joe Lauziere on bass, and special guest Juantez Robinson on drums, who traveled in from Huntsville for the performance. Together, they brought an electrifying energy to every tune, engaging listeners with expressive solos, tight grooves, and infectious enthusiasm.
The event took place outside Prevail Union MGM, a downtown coffeehouse known for its strong brews and support of the local arts scene. The alleyway adjacent to the shop was lined with local vendors, food trucks, and artists, creating a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. As the aroma of espresso mingled with spring blossoms and swinging melodies, a mix of marketgoers, coffeehouse regulars, and curious passersby gathered to enjoy the free performance under sunny skies.
The setlist highlighted works by legends like Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, & Ray Charles as well as classic standards, each introduced with brief historical notes that invited the audience deeper into the music’s rich heritage. A standout moment came with their hip hop-tinged rendition of Freddie Hubbard's “Mr. Clean” closing out their first set with an infectious jam that left many attendees lingering with smiles.
With their top-tier musicianship and genuine community spirit, the Montgomery Jazz Alliance is proving that jazz is not only alive in Montgomery—it’s thriving.
MONTGOMERY, AL – The Montgomery Jazz Alliance delivered a powerful lecture and performance at MAP 360 Gallery in downtown Montgomery, AL, on February 19, 2025, highlighting the deep connection between jazz and the Civil Rights Movement for 25 eighth-grade students and chaperones from The Dalton School in NYC. Part of the Dalton Global Initiatives Tour, the event featured poet, author, and human rights activist Marco Mays, resident MAP 360 artist RC Hagens, and MJA members Tim Stuart (saxophone and keyboard), Trevor Sikorski (trombone), and Joe Lauziere (electric bass), along with special guest Juantez Robinson (drums).
The group began with an overview of jazz history as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement, tracing its roots from Congo Square in New Orleans through the swing and bebop eras of the Harlem Renaissance, into the soul jazz and hard bop movements of the 1960s, and culminating in modern jazz’s freedom of artistic expression with Kenny Garrett’s Sing a Song of Song. Sikorski illustrated jazz’s role in community expression with a demonstration of New Orleans Second Line traditions through Joe Avery’s Blues. Stuart followed with a discussion on Work Song by Nat Adderley, explaining how jazz musicians used their music to spotlight cultural issues and critique social injustices, particularly racial inequality, as the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum—especially in Montgomery and Birmingham.
Students clapped, danced, and participated in a lively post-performance Q&A, engaging deeply with the historical and cultural significance of jazz. The Alliance, along with Mays and Hagens, expressed gratitude to MAP 360, The Dalton School, and MAP 360 Director Geneva Watford for hosting the event and looks forward to future collaborations.
MILLBROOK, AL – The Montgomery Jazz Alliance (MJA) is keeping Central Alabama’s jazz scene alive and thriving with its biweekly jam sessions in Millbrook. These gatherings provide a dynamic space for musicians to collaborate while offering audiences an up-close experience of world-class live jazz.
Recent sessions have drawn top-tier talent from the region, including guest artists La'Roy Bodiford (tenor saxophone), Matt Clements (guitar), and Ben Weldon (drums). Each event brings fresh energy, blending straight-ahead jazz, Latin rhythms, and modern takes on classic jazz standards.
One standout performance from the most recent session in February featured a fiery rendition of John Coltrane’s Impressions, with solos by Tim Stuart (piano), Trevor Sikorski (trombone), La'Roy Bodiford (tenor saxophone), Matt Clements (guitar), and Juantez Robinson (drums), anchored by Joe Lauziere on bass.
Check out the video of this electrifying performance, and don’t miss the next jam session as MJA continues to build a vibrant jazz community in Central Alabama.