When I first began teaching at Oaktown Jazz in 1997 Michael Morgan and Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ (OJW) Founding Director, Khalil Shaheed, had just completed a collaboration that featured OJW’s young jazz musicians playing a tribute to John Coltrane with the Oakland Symphony. The concert was a success but there was a clear sense of urgency to do more for the youth of Oakland as schools were locking up their instruments and cutting music programs.

Michael Morgan began presenting school assemblies across the Bay Area that featured both a string quartet from Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra and a jazz combo from Oaktown Jazz. He began to invite OJW’s young musicians to perform before the Oakland Symphony’s concerts at the Paramount Theater and Fourth of July Celebrations, creating many magical experiences for our young musicians.

In 1999 Michael Morgan joined Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Board of Directors and always made himself available to support our organization and students – an unofficial pathway to his alma mater, Oberlin Conservatory, was created for many of OJW’s musicians.

Oakland began changing rapidly with waves of tech and real estate bubbles but Michael Morgan’s support of youth and those that advocated for them remained constant.

As an OJW Board Member, his guidance was invaluable as he had an amazing ability to find solutions to issues far away on the horizon and keep the focus on offering high quality music education to young people. His input at our last board meeting regarding Covid-19 safety protocols is now part of every workshop and class we offer.

Michael Morgan believed in the young people of our community and the power of music to change lives.

Rest in Peace Michael Morgan.

Ravi Abcarian
Executive Director, Oaktown Jazz Workshops