Bobby Acri Champions Music Education as a Path to Lifelong Success
Chicago jazz musician calls on communities to invest in creativity and mentorship for the next generation.
WINNETKA, IL / ACCESS Newswire / November 21, 2025 /Chicago-based jazz musician and educator Bobby Acri is using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of music education and mentorship in shaping young people 's futures - both in and beyond the arts.
Acri, known for his soulful saxophone tone and work leading the Bobby Acri Quartet, believes that creativity and discipline learned through music translate into essential life and business skills. "Music isn 't just about notes or technique, " he says. "It 's about listening, adapting, and connecting - the same skills that drive success in any field. "
According to research from the NAMM Foundation, students involved in music programs score an average of 27% higher on math tests and are twice as likely to graduate college compared to those without arts exposure. Yet, over the past decade, more than 1.3 million U.S. public school students have lost access to music programs due to budget cuts.
For Acri, that loss is personal. "I wouldn 't be where I am without the teachers who stayed after class to help me improvise or the older musicians who let me sit in on gigs, " he explains. "Every young person deserves that same opportunity to discover their voice. "
Beyond performing at Chicago institutions like The Green Mill and Andy 's Jazz Club, Acri teaches students across the region and leads workshops on improvisation and ensemble performance. His approach emphasizes communication and authenticity over perfection. "When I teach, I tell my students - you don 't have to sound like Coltrane or Rollins. You just have to sound like you, " Acri says.
He 's urging parents, schools, and communities to think differently about how they define and support success. "We put so much emphasis on outcomes - grades, trophies, paychecks - but the real success is learning how to listen, work together, and keep growing, " he says.
To Acri, investing in arts education isn 't only about training musicians; it 's about building empathy and resilience in future leaders. "Jazz teaches you how to fail gracefully, " he adds with a laugh. "You hit a wrong note, and you turn it into something new. That mindset prepares you for life better than most textbooks. "
A Call to Action
Acri encourages individuals to take simple steps to support creative learning in their own communities:
Attend local performances. Live music builds community connection and supports working artists.
Volunteer or mentor. Share skills and time with local youth arts programs.
Advocate for arts funding. Contact local school boards and city councils to protect and expand music education budgets.
Make space for creativity at home. Encourage kids - and adults - to explore instruments, writing, or any form of expression without fear of judgment.
"Music made me who I am, " Acri says. "But more than that, it taught me how to listen - to people, to problems, to life. That 's what I want for the next generation. "
Contact: info@bobbyacri.com
SOURCE:Bobby Acri
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