Denton, Texas, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington), is the 188th most populous city in the United States. Denton is the home of the University of North Texas, one of the leading jazz education schools in the nation, as well as Texas Woman’s University. 

Now recognized as the cultural hub for the region, Denton was founded by Kentuckian William S. Peters in the mid-1800s via a land grant from the Texas Congress, the legislature for the Republic of Texa. It was eventually named after John B. Denton, a preacher, lawyer and soldier killed in a battle with the Keechi Indians.

Denton is located in the northeast of Texas and enjoys a subtropical climate, with hot summers, cool winters and little snowfall. With a population of 141,541, Denton boasts a thriving multicultural community with many attractions, including;

  • The annual North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
  • The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
  • The 35 Denton Music Festival
  • Denton County African American Museum
  • The Murchison Performing Arts Center
  • The Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center
  • Ray Roberts Lake State Park

While not strictly a college town due to its size, the influence of the universities on Denton life cannot be missed, particularly evident in Denton’s thriving independent music scene, a scene recognized in 2008 by the New York Times Paste Magazine as the best in the US. 

Denton has also produced acclaimed talent such as Norah Jones, Snarky Puppy and continues today as a breeding ground for musicians.