The aim of the Ipswich Jazz Collective is to encourage the playing and performance of jazz in Ipswich and Suffolk and to raise the awareness and profile of jazz in the community. To achieve this the Collective aims to provide music workshops designed to encourage improvisation and interaction; to provide performance space for groups and individuals to play new works; to promote gigs for local bands interested in improvisational music.

The Collective is open to anyone with and interest in playing jazz whatever their level of ability and would especially welcome players from diverse cultural backgrounds to encourage as broad a mix of music as possible.

The Collective would be interested to make contact with any individuals, groups or organisations such as poets, drama, theatre or dance groups that might feel that they would benefit from a collaboration with locally based musicians.