Mid Atlantic Arts welcomes new Program Director, Jazz, Ernest Stuart

Congratulations, Ernest!

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is pleased to introduce you to their new Program Director, Jazz, Ernest Stuart. 

Ernest will be responsible for leading and managing the Jazz Touring Network and grant support program, the Living Legacy Jazz Award selection process, and serving as Mid Atlantic’s liaison to the national Jazz Road program. Ernest has worked in the arts as a performer and event producer since graduating from Temple University. Equipped with a degree in jazz performance, he soon began performing and touring with the likes of Red Baraat, the Charles Tolliver Big Band, the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, John Legend, and Seal. As a freelance trombonist, Ernest performed in 30 countries at the world’s most notable venues and festivals, including the White House, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and Bonnaroo. He also recorded on over 40 recorded projects, and project-managed the music for a forthcoming PBS Kids show. 

In 2012, Ernest endeavored to fight against the decline of the Philadelphia jazz scene –which had seen a number of its important venues shuttered– by founding the Center City Jazz Festival through an innovative kickstarter campaign that was lauded by NPR for being the first of its kind. Since its founding, the Center City Jazz Festival has featured Grammy award winners and nominees, as well as MacArthur and PEW Fellows among the list of international and nationally recognized performers. Most importantly, the festival helped raise awareness for the wealth of talented artists working in the Philadelphia region. As the festival’s founder, Ernest collaborated with his local government, small businesses, and nonprofit performing arts organizations, all while maintaining relationships with partner venues, regularly managing contracts with artist management and booking agents, overseeing virtual/in-person ticketing, coordinating photographers/videographers, and much more. 

In addition to his BA from Temple, Ernest has an MA in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University which focuses on the role of philanthropy in community building. 

Questions or just want to say “Welcome”? Ernest can be reached at estuart@midatlanticarts.org or 410.539.6656 x116.