Jazzschool

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The Jazzschool offers instrumentalists and vocalists of all ages and levels a broad spectrum of performance and lecture classes and short-term workshops.
"Combining study and performance, and fronting a faculty that represents a Who's Who of Bay Area jazz, the Jazzschool offers perhaps the most comprehensive curriculum of any jazz program in the country."
- San Francisco Chronicle.

Four San Francisco Bay Area pianists present an evening of solo piano music from around the world. Featuring Fred Weed, Anne Sajdera, Stephanie Ozer and Hadley Louden.

New Orleans native Michelle Jacques is on a lifelong journey to keep Creole history, language and culture alive. Come join her in this celebration of the people of New Orleans and their remarkable music! Featuring Michelle Jacques, Rhonda Crane and Bryan Dyer, vocals; Donna Viscuso, woodwinds; Sam Bevan, bass; and Bob Scott, drums.

Tenor saxophonist Anton Schwartz, pianist Adam Shulman and bassist John Wiitala change things up for this high-spirited project, tackling alto sax, organ and drums, respectively. A hard-swinging and soulful set of originals and reimagined standards.

A new after hours event featuring Michael Aaberg, Howard Wiley, Dayna Stephens, Geechi Taylor and Dave Ewell. DJ Set by Bicasso.
Modern jazz with special guests!

A Salute to the Eternal Influence of the Perennial Hipster
Featuring: Madeline Eastman, Laurie Antonioli, Kenny Washington, Kellye Gray and more!
One of the most gifted and original male jazz vocalists of the last fifty years, six-time Grammy-nominee Mark Murphy has inspired generations of burgeoning jazz singers.
In this unique concert, an eclectic group of renowned vocalists come together to celebrate his influence through story and song.
Proceeds go towards the Jazzschool’s

Call 510.238.9200 or visit yoshis.inticketing.com
Please note: $20 of the ticket price is tax deductible.
Yoshi’s Oakland 510 Embarcadero West Jack London Square
 » BUY TICKETS

Join two of South India’s leading percussionists, T.H. Subash Chandran — ghatam (clay pot) and konnokol (vocal percussion)
and Ganesh Kumar — kanjira (S. Indian tambourine), for an exciting workshop on the intricacies of South Indian rhythms. These classical percussionists have years of experience playing Indo-Jazz fusion, making them especially adept at sharing their knowledge with Western musicians. Concepts are presented through the medium of vocal percussion. No instrument or experience necessary. The workshop is hosted by Jazzschool instructor and percussionist Jim Santi Owen. Learn more about these artists at:
www.subashchandranmusic.com and www.ganeshkanjira.com.

This workshop is co-produced by the San Francisco World Music Festival which runs November 19 – 21. www.sfworldmusicfestival.org

Non-Linear Improvising with Pentatonics
A theoretical and practical look at pentatonic (five-note) scales and their role in jazz, paying particular attention to the many ways we can use them to great effect in our solos. We lay out the theory behind them from the ground up, show how they may be used in myriad harmonic contexts, and discuss exactly how it is that such a simple harmonic tool, the basis of some of the simplest folk melodies around the world, can be used so powerfully in modern music to create so many colors and degrees of tension and dissonance. Prerequisites: A basic understanding of chords and seven-note scales is required. Some familiarity with advanced harmony (altered, lydian, etc.) is recommended.

10:30 am – 12:30 pm 
ANTON SCHWARTZ $30 Jazzschool students/$45 others

Non-Linear Improvising with Triad Pairs
A particular sound can be achieved by constructing musical phrases using a six-note scale and grouping the six notes into two triads. It’s a sound most closely associated with John Coltrane, and first discussed extensively by Walt Weiskopf. In this workshop we discuss this technique of triad pairs and how it departs from the pre-1960 jazz vocabulary. We explore its harmonic foundations and various uses, and learn techniques for integrating it into our improvisations. Prerequisites: A basic understanding of chords and seven-note scales is required. Some familiarity with advanced harmony (altered, lydian, etc.) is recommended.

The Audition Process Master Class Are you ready for your audition? Learn the fundamentals of sight-reading, performance skills, warm-up exercises and tips to beat your nerves for the big day. Preparation is the key to represent yourself with conviction, swing, groove and rhythm.
Discover the tools you need to be consistent in the audition process. Develop a checklist of how to approach any audition requirements. Bring your audition piece and participate in a mock audition to get instant feedback and an assessment for long-term improvement. For all instrumentalists and vocalists.

Stage Performance Workshop
Vocalists and instrumentalists: How much time do you spend on your stage show? Probably a lot less time than you do learning the music. A common misconception among musicians is that ‘stage performance’ means acting in an unnatural way or that it isn’t as important as the music. The truth is, the way you and your band look and behave on stage plays a huge part in capturing the attention of the audience and how they experience your music. If you’ve been winging it on stage, this workshop will give you insights into how to develop a dazzling set to effectively present your songs, and how your image will enhance your music and set your stage shows apart from others. All students will participate and perform with a professional accompanist. Vocalists should bring two lead sheets in different tempos in their preferred keys. Instrumentalists should bring their instruments and two lead sheets for tunes at varied tempos. Maximum enrollment: 10

Prerequisites: Clairdee’s Stage Presence 101 or her previous Jazzschool workshops, “Tune Up Your Performance” and “In the Spotlight.”

Jazzschool Featured IN San Francisco Chronicle 10/10/2010!

Congratulations to our 2010 Downbeat Magazine Student Award Winners!
High School Jazz Group - Outstanding Performance
Jazzschool Advanced High School Jazz Workshop - Mike Zilber, director
Large Ensemble - Outstanding Performance

Advanced High School Jazz Workshop member Colin McDaniel for his
composition "Skewed Reflection"

Jazzschool Girls' Jazz and Blues Camp Featured in Downbeat Pick up your copy of the August issue of Downbeat today at Jazzschool Books and Records, or download the article here! Camp enrollment is open, for registration call the jazzschool at 510.845.5373, or email josh@jazzschool.com Easy registration at www.jazzschool.com/girlsreg

June 13th, 2010 - Matt sat in with the Dick Conte Quartet and was announced as this year's 2010 Dick Conte Piano Scholarship recipient! In photo from left to right, Dick Conte, Matt Wong, Susan Muscarella and Kathleen Lawton.

The Jazzschool's Monday Night Studio Band Wins First Place & Thursday Night Studio
Band Third Place For Second Consecutive Year At the Monterey Jazz Festival's 6th Annual
Next Generation Festival Held April 9-11

The Jazzschool has been named "Best Music School" in the 2009 Best of the East Bay issue
of the East Bay Express
Jazzschool on SFGate.com
A recent profile of Jazzschool executive director Susan Muscarella.

Jazzschool | 2087 Addison St. Berkeley CA 94704 (510) 845-5373 | Contact Us