The Jazzschool offers numerous performance ensembles for beginning, intermediate, and advanced instrumentalists and vocalists, each of which develops a set of music to be performed for friends and family as part of the end-of-quarter Jazzschool Student Performance Series in Hardymon Hall!

Students are placed in skill-level appropriate ensembles by audition. Audition requirements may include one or more of the following: playing selected scales; playing and/or improvising over a piece of your choice; improvising over a 12-bar blues or other skill-level appropriate pieces provided at the audition; and sight-reading. Drummers are asked to play various grooves and to solo. Bassists are asked to play stylistically appropriate bass lines. To schedule an audition or for more information about Jazzschool ensembles, please contact Rob Ewing, Community Music School Director, at 510-845-5373 x 14 or email rob@jazzschool.org.   

Please click here for a list of Jazzschool ensemble audition requirements.

Balkan And Romani (“Gypsy”) Ensemble
This class explores the irresistible odd-metered rhythms, sultry melodic modes, and unique harmonies and varied moods of contemporary Balkan ensemble music, from soulful taxims (slow modal improvisations) to ecstatic wedding style dance tunes. These styles of music, as performed by artists including Bulgaria’s Ivo Papasov, Serbia’s Boban Markovic and Goran Bregovic, and Turkey’s Burhan Öçal are gaining global popularity. Improvisational styles and structures will also be introduced. All instruments are welcome!

Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
10 weeks  (1/9 – 3/19)
rumen sali shopov $365

New Orleans R&B Ensemble
Play the music featured in Treme, HBO’s hit show set in New Orleans! This intermediate-level performance ensemble celebrates the joyful sounds of Professor Longhair, The Meters, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, The Nevilles, and the brass bands, along with some of the younger New Orleans standouts (such as Stanton Moore, Jon Cleary, Dumpstaphunk, and Papa Grows Funk). Class members learn to play the infectious second-line feel, the two-beat shuffle, and New Orleans funk and R&B grooves. Open to vocalists (lead and/or back-up), piano, organ, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba/sousaphone; others possible. Let the good times roll!

Prerequisites: Consultation and/or audition with instructor
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Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
10 weeks  (1/12 – 3/15)
jennifer jolly $365

New Class!
Nguyên Lê Ensemble
A new ensemble course focusing on the music of guitarist Nguyên Lê. Lê’s compositions are challenging and heartfelt, integrating elements of many different folk music traditions from around the world with jazz, rock, and other forms, reflecting his multi-cultural upbringing as a child of Vietnamese immigrants growing up in cosmopolitan Paris. For advanced instrumentalists.

Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
10 weeks  (1/12 – 3/15)
art lande  $365

Latin Pop Dance Band
The Latin influence in popular dance music is undeniable, from Dizzy Gillespie’s Afro-Cuban Jazz, Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin’s $60 million record sales, Los Lobos’ Mexican-American roots rock and the “Queen of Latin Pop” Gloria Estefan’s compositions for the Miami Sound “Machine, to Santana’s enduring popularity. This class explores all of the above and more, crafting a set of hot, exciting Latin dance music for a Jazzschool performance. All vocalists can sing lead and backup, and there is plenty of solo space for all. CDs and charts provided. Open to: vocalists, trumpet, saxes, trombone, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, congas and hand percussion.

Prerequisites: consultation with instructor. Instrumentalists: intermediate/advanced technique and some reading ability. Vocalists: ability to sing in tune in original keys and hold harmonies. Suitable for male or female voices.

Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
10 weeks  (1/11 – 3/14)
jean fineberg  $365

Old-School Soul Kitchen
An ensemble focusing on learning and performing the classic hits of Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Average White Band, Sly & the Family Stone, Earth Wind and Fire and more. Rhythm section players, vocalists and horn players welcome.

Prerequisites: functional technique on instrument and some ability to read music.

Mondays 6:30 – 8 pm
10 weeks  (1/9 – 3/19)
wayne wallace  $365

Funk, Soul, & R&B Rhythm Section Workout!
Open to guitar, keyboards, bass and drums, this ensemble class focuses on developing a deep sense of feel and groove through close study and emulation of numerous classic funk, soul, and R&B recordings. Class focuses on the music of Tower of Power, Sly & The Family Stone, The Headhunters, James Brown, Parliament and more!

Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
10 weeks (1/14 – 3/17)
joe bagale $365