On January 11, 1997, The Mannes Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of faculty member Buster Williams, with special guest artist and faculty member Billy Harper performed at the 24th Annual International Association of Jazz Educator's Conference in Chicago.

This year's conference was attended by a record 6,000 people. With standing room only in the Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, Mannes Jazz students Jessica Boykin (vocals), Keith Loftis (tenor saxophone), Kenyatta Beasley (trumpet), Shedrick Mitchell (piano), Jennifer Vincent (acoustic bass), Greg Tuohey (guitar), and Marcus Baylor (drums) performed for a crowd of over 450 people.

With only 200 groups out of over 500 ensembles selected to play, the Jazz Program has been represented at every annual conference. Other faculty members who performed included the Ted Rosenthal Trio featuring Ted Rosenthal on piano, Dennis Irwin on bass, and Ron Vincent on drums, and tenor saxophonist Billy Harper as guest artist with the High School for Performing and Visual Arts Jazz Combo.