St. Louis theater group takes over admin duties for struggling jazz organization

The Muny and Jazz St. Louis announced on Thursday that the two St. Louis performing arts groups are entering a shared services partnership. Under the new agreement, the outdoor theater will take over several administrative functions for the jazz organization. The Muny will assign staff members to support Jazz St. Louis in marketing, finance, fundraising, and production. Each organization will keep its own governance structure and board of directors.

Kwofe Coleman, the Muny’s president and CEO, said the theater has the capacity to support these business functions. He noted that the arrangement allows Jazz St. Louis to realize savings in its expenses. The Muny maintains an annual budget of more than $33 million. The organization also completed a $100 million capital campaign in 2024, a project that began in 2018 to mark its 100th anniversary.

Jazz St. Louis has faced financial pressure in recent years. Tax documents show the organization ran a deficit of $382,176 as of March 2025. Leaders at the Grand Center-based group cut several key positions at the end of the previous season. Victor Goines, who led the organization from 2022 until February, has left the group. Adaron “Pops” Jackson and Cynthia Danley currently serve as co-directors.

Coleman is a member of the Jazz St. Louis board. He described the arrangement as a cooperative model that he expects other local organizations will follow. “We’re here for the long haul. This is not just a get-it-back-on-its-feet [situation] and then walk away. This is a model that I believe really serves. So we’re together. We’re cousins now,” Coleman said. One member of the Muny’s fundraising staff has already moved to Jazz St. Louis. Coleman confirmed that no one will be fundraising for both groups at the same time.

Jazz St. Louis was founded in 1995 as Jazz at the Bistro. An $8 million fundraising effort supported a 2014 renovation that expanded the space to include rooms for educational programming. The venue is known for its acoustics and for booking both local artists and prominent national jazz musicians. The organization launched its 2026-27 season this week with appearances by Cyrus Chestnut.

Goines’ departure came after a period of internal tension. In 2023, the Riverfront Times reported that Goines objected to paying musicians for a tribute to women in jazz and opposed sexual harassment training. The board defended him at that time. Artist Cbabi Bayoc said in 2023 that the organization rejected a design he created for a fundraising event. The design featured musician Keyon Harrold holding a trumpet and raising a fist. Bayoc stated that some board members objected to the image. Goines acknowledged asking for a different design but said he did not intend to disrespect the artist's work. Goines now works at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts as a jazz chair and teacher.