Lori Mechem

Jazz Pianist, Educator, & Composer

Born in Anderson, Indiana into a musical family, Lori Mechem began her professional career at age 13 performing with her father's big band. Her distinguished performance career has included collaborations with legendary jazz artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Smith, Terry Gibbs, Pete Christlieb, Red Holloway, Cal Collins, Roy McCurdy, Ed Thigpen, Houston Person, Kevin Mahogany, Everett Greene, Ann Jillian, Edie Gorme, Kirk Whalum, Anthony Wilson, Oscar Castro Neves, Bobby Millitello, Marvin Stamm, and The McGuire Sisters.

Mechem earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Ball State University (1982-1986) and has dedicated her career to both performance and jazz education. From 1998 to 2024, she served as Founder, Executive Director, and Education Director of the Nashville Jazz Workshop, where she created the nation's most comprehensive Great American Songbook educational program. Her extensive curriculum featured 6-week courses on legendary composers including Gershwin, Porter, Mercer, Arlen, the Bergmans, Berlin, Kern, Warren, Van Heusen, Rodgers & Hart, Ellington, and Carmichael, successfully educating hundreds of students nationwide.

As a recording artist, Mechem has released nine albums, with two earning recognition as Top 20 Best Jazz Recordings (2003-2006): "Shiny Stockings" by The Lori Mechem Quartet plays Count Basie, and "Live at the Jazz Cave" with Pete Christlieb and the Lori Mechem Quartet. Her diverse discography includes Brazilian-flavored projects like "Welcome to Brazil" with Ritmos Picantes (1996), tribute albums to Count Basie and Alan & Marilyn Bergman, and her solo piano work "The Dream of Life."

Mechem's innovative educational programming has reached thousands. She co-created and co-produced the award-winning "Jazz AM" puppet show series, which was named "Best New Children's Show" by Nashville Scene in 2023. She also partnered with the Nashville Public Library to produce "Ellingtown," a grant-funded puppet show that continues to be presented at different community centers and pre-schools across Davidson County. She developed "Jazz on the Move" in 2008, a lecture/performance series now in its 16th consecutive year that continues to bring standing room only audiences. In 2022, she co-produced "Jazz Set," a weekend intensive program for vocalists that attracts students from across the United States.

Her contributions to jazz education have earned significant recognition, including the Jazz Journalist Award for Jazz Mentorship (2010), the Jeffersonian Award from the Jefferson Street Urban Merchant Partnership, and selection as a Grant Review Panelist for the National Endowment of the Arts (2012). Throughout her tenure at Nashville Jazz Workshop, she established strategic partnerships with major cultural and educational institutions including Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt Osher Lifelong Learning, Country Music Hall of Fame, Frist Art Center, Nashville Public Library, Nashville Public Television, Nashville Public Radio, and WMOT.

Prior to founding Nashville Jazz Workshop, Mechem served as an Adjunct Instructor of Commercial Piano at Belmont University (1991-1998), teaching Ear Training, Commercial Instrumental Styles, Studio Instrumentalists, and private piano instruction. Her early career included musical direction roles at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis (1986-1987), Schuss Mountain Ski Resort in Michigan (1983-1985), and Kings Island Theme Park (1983).

As a composer, Mechem has published two original songbooks: "The Dream of Life," a collection of original meditation songs, and "The Donna McElroy and Lori Mechem Songbook," featuring original compositions. Her work continues to bridge the gap between performance and education, preserving jazz traditions while creating innovative approaches to musical learning and community engagement.