Jack Oatts (1922-2008) graduated from Radcliffe (Iowa) High School and received a bachelor of arts degree in commerce and finance from Coe College and a bachelor and master of music education degrees from Drake University. During World War II, he attended the Navy School of Music and was a member of the Armed Forces Broadcast Band in England. He contracted tuberculosis at the end of his duty and was hospitalized for four years. During that time, he earned money by shooting craps and arranging music for Lawrence Welk. He began his teaching career in 1955 at Earlham High School in Earlham, Iowa, starting the first high school jazz band program in the state of Iowa. Jack relocated to Jefferson, Iowa, in 1966 and organized one of the first jazz festivals to invite jazz artists such as Clark Terry, Bud Shank, Urbie Green, Joe Farrell, Marvin Stamm, Bill Chase, and Arnie Lawrence to perform as guest soloists. Clark Terry said the Jefferson Jazz Band was the first school jazz band he performed with and "they played just like the professionals." The Jefferson Jazz Band received many honors under Jack's direction, including first place at the 1981 Iowa Jazz Championships and guest performing band at the prestigious Wichita Jazz Festival. He retired from teaching in public schools in 1985. Jack served as state president of the National Association of Jazz Educators, state chairman of the National Bandmasters Association, and president of the South Central District of the Iowa Bandmaster's Association. He was also a member of the American Federation of Musicians and performed with the Jack Oatts Quartet.