A successful active learning community in which students engage in meaningful learning is characterized by a number of critical elements. These include a safe learning environment in which both instructor and students are willing to take intellectual risks and share their thoughts about content being discussed. Although many instructors recognize the importance of these elements, their classroom practice fails to implement the key factors that lead to success in the classroom. This article proposes the jazz experience as a model for developing a successful active learning community. While other models may certainly fulfill this role in various ways, jazz embodies all critical elements of such a community