In 1984, Rees founded the "Howard Rees' Jazz Workshops", a Toronto-based jazz school. The school, which has attracted over 2,500 students from around the world, is Canada's oldest independent jazz school. In 2005 Rees cofounded the Toronto organization Art of Jazz. As a member of its board of directors, he helped plan the Art of Jazz Celebration, an annual event which takes place at The Distillery on Toronto. He also directs the Toronto Jazz Chorus. In 2008, Rees founded the "We Are One Jazz Project", a mentorship project that matches master musicians with children from lower income neighbourhoods. Through a partnership with the
Toronto District School Board, students ages 9–12 attend weekly rehearsals, an finally take part in a public performance at the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts, featuring a 400-voice children's choir, a big band, a string section, and a number of guest artists. In 2018 WAO (We Are One) has launched We Are One BELLEVILLE with the concert for the 2018-19 year being at
Centennial Secondary School (Belleville, Ontario). About 300 children participate in the We Are One Jazz Project each year.
Publications and online instruction Rees has published several instructional volumes and videos about Harris' method. In 2011, Rees launched the website "Jazz School Online", featuring over 200 video lessons. ==References==