Sherman Jazz Museum?

That’s right!  Sherman has a  jazz museum! William “Bill” Collins, a long-time pro trumpet player in the Dallas scene and a former UNT Music school student is merging his love of Jazz music with his family history in Sherman. Bill’s dad (also “Bill”) graduated from Sherman High School and then after moving back founded the Sherman High School band in the 1940’s.

By starting The Sherman Jazz Museum, the son Bill is a tribute to not only all the jazz greats and the music that influenced a generation, but also carrying out his father’s dream and legacy.

The museum’s collection centers around material from the Maynard Ferguson estate, which the Collins family purchased in 2006. Collins has donated all of the material to the museum, a 501c not for profit organization. The museum has gradually acquired more and more material over the years and when it opens will house one of the largest collections around.

Collins says, “The thing I’m most excited about is bringing the elementary and junior high kids in here to learn about jazz. If you start kids early, while they’re still developing, it will change how they listen to music.” In addition, he is planning a big band museum on the top floor of the hall, and bringing in some of the best jazz musicians for concerts at Kidd-Key Auditorium.

The museum opens May 8th and will feature a special Gala Concert at Kidd Key featuring UNT’s famous One O’Clock Lab band.

It is located in the historic Masonic Temple building at 201 E. Lamar in downtown Sherman.

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