The International Summer Jazz Academy (ISJA) was founded in 1994 as a cooperative venture between Poland and American educators through the sponsorship of The Polish American and Youth Jazz Foundation. The position of the ISJA artistic director was held for many years by Dr. Michael Parkinson, former chair of the Department of Music and Professor of Music at Webster University in St. Louis.

The majority of the students who attend the ISJA are high school and college students from Poland and other countries include Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland and Malta.

Classes are conducted by American artists, faculty of the Webster University, famous Polish musicians, faculty of the Cracow School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and other invited stars. In addition participants play together with American and Polish assistants during daily lessons and nightly jam sessions. Each student receives an ISJA diploma, and education materials from American sponsors.