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.com. 

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

Jazz & Blues Ensembles

Beginning Jazz Ensemble

An intro-level ensemble focused on learning jazz standards, developing improvisation skills, and putting jazz theory into practice. Students develop familiarity with various common jazz feels, and learn to improvise over typical chord progressions.

Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
ROB EWING (10 weeks) $365

McCain Jazz Ensemble

Section I (Int)
A jazz ensemble focusing on improvising over chord changes, playing with good rhythm, and the skills needed to perform with others. Emphasis is placed on standard mainstream styles: blues, standards, swing, bebop, AABA forms, ballads, bossa
novas, etc.
Tuesdays 4:30 – 6 pm

Section II (Int)
Students are challenged by slightly faster tempos and more involved tunes. Unusual keys, uncommon tune structures, and more challenging melodies are presented along with standard material. Original compositions are welcome. Scales and modes are presented to be used specifically with the given material. Class focuses on the music of Miles Davis, A.C. Jobim, Art Blakey, Cal Tjader, Oscar Peterson and many “Blue Note” era artists.
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 pm

Section III (Int/Adv)
Students are exposed to jazz compositions with involved forms, melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Emphasis on application of dynamics and jazz articulation. Advanced scales and modes are also introduced and applied. Ensemble repertoire includes pieces by Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, Joe Henderson, George Mraz, and numerous European composers.
Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm

SEWARD MCCAIN  (10 weeks)  $365

Jazz Standards for Gigs

This ensemble focuses on developing the skills and repertoire needed for typical jazz gigs. Repertoire, intros, endings, interludes and tags are covered. Various jazz feels including swing, bossa, jazz waltz and ballads are studied and played. Class time is dedicated to the study of jazz harmony, as applied to selected standard repertoire. Instructor also provides tips for soloing.

SECTION I Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
SECTION II Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
SECTION III Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm
GLENN RICHMAN (10 weeks) $365

Music of the Masters

An intermediate-level ensemble focusing on compositions by jazz masters including Coltrane, Monk, Shorter and others. Emphasis is placed on understanding and internalizing a variety of essential grooves. Class time is dedicated to the study of jazz harmony, as applied to selected jazz repertoire. Instructor also provides tips for soloing.

Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
GLENN RICHMAN (10 weeks) $365

New Class! 
Women’s Jazz & Blues Band

An intermediate ensemble offering a unique teaching approach emphasizing teamwork, and providing a comfortable, supportive setting for all players. If you’ve ever been the “only one” in a band, felt left out or just plain “different,” or have never had a professional woman player as your bandleader or instructor, this is the band for you! Focusing on bop and post-bop styles of jazz, as well as blues from jazz to funk to fusion, instructor provides plenty of playing room for everyone.

Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
ELLEN SEELING (10 weeks) $365

Ellen Seeling is a 35-year veteran of the NYC and Bay Area music scenes. The first woman to earn a degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University, she is also the first woman trumpeter to record 3 triple-platinum albums, and the first woman to teach jazz and trumpet at IU and UC Berkeley. Ellen conceived of and co-directs the first summer jazz camp for girls in the US, the Jazzschool Girls’ Jazz & Blues Camp. She is the founder and Director of the Montclair Women’s Big Band.

Blues and Groove Workshop

A performance workshop for all instrumentalists focusing on the blues and blues- related styles. Emphasis on “the groove” as demonstrated through recordings of Charlie Christian, (Aaron) T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins, Jack McDuff, Louis Jordan and other “jump” blues and New Orleans masters.

Prerequisite: knowledge of basic 12-bar blues.

Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm
DANNY CARON (10 weeks) $365

Post Bebop ENSEMBLE

This intermediate to advanced level ensemble focuses on contemporary post-bebop styles of jazz, dating from the 1960s to the present. Repertoire is drawn from artists including Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Charles Lloyd, Cedar Walton, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield and others. Strong emphasis placed on group communication and interaction.

Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
STEVE ERQUIAGA (10 weeks) $365

Miles Davis/Wayne Shorter Ensemble

An intermediate to advanced level ensemble focusing on the music of Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter from 1968 through the 1980s. Repertoire is drawn from such albums as Miles Smiles, ESP, Files de Kilimanjaro, Speak no Evil, Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way, Native Dancer and Jack Johnson. Strong emphasis placed on group communication and interaction.

Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
STEVE ERQUIAGA (10 weeks) $365

New Class!
Jazz Composers Ensemble

Students analyze classic compositions from various eras, practice composing in these styles, and work on playing their own compositions. Some of the composers studied include Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver and Charles Mingus.

Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
ERIK JEKABSON (10 weeks) $365

The Piano Trio

This hands-on performance class for intermediate to advanced pianists, focuses on how to play most effectively in the traditional jazz piano trio format. Maximum class size: four pianists. Accompaniment by a professional bassist and drummer. Please note: class available on a first come, first served basis.

Prerequisite: ability to play and improvise over a jazz tune in time.

SECTION I Mondays 5:00 – 6:30 pm
SECTION II Mondays 6:45 – 8:15 pm
SECTION III Mondays 8:30 – 10 pm
PETER HORVATH (10 weeks) $390

New Class! 
Guitar Trio

In this intermediate/advanced hands-on class, students develop improvisation skills in the guitar trio format. Students focus on group interaction and dynamics, soloing, comping for bass solos, trading fours with the drummer, building repertoire, and finally, getting gigs! Maximum enrollment: four guitarists, one bassist, one drummer. Please note: class available on a first come, first served basis. Prerequisites: ability to play and improvise
over a jazz tune while keeping steady time.

Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
MIMI FOX (10 weeks) $365

New Class!
Evolution of the Modern Jazz Rhythm Section

A course for pianists, guitarists, bassists and drummers focusing on rhythmic considerations relevant to the rhythm section. This course covers the history of how great jazz rhythm sections developed and influenced the art. In addition to looking at the evolution of the jazz rhythm section from a historical perspective, the class also takes a hands-on look at what they are doing and why it works. Students study the rhythm section both as individual members and as a unit. The main focus is on playing standard jazz in a variety of time signatures and feels. Additional musical styles that relate to modern jazz are also examined. Students also work on chart reading, ear training, and transcription and analysis.

Wednesdays 8 – 9:30 pm
ANDREW EMER (10 weeks) $365

From Baroque to Bebop — Saxophone Ensemble

A saxophone ensemble led by San Francisco Saxophone Quartet alto saxophonist Bill Aron. Repertoire includes original pieces, transcriptions and arrangements from the baroque to the bebop periods. Prerequisites: facility on a saxophone and basic reading skills.

Day and time: TBA
BILL ARON (10 weeks)  $365

Thursday Night Big Band

A 19-piece performance ensemble covering standard jazz and blues repertoire from 1930 to the present. This band has several performance opportunities at the Jazzschool and other venues throughout the Bay Area and serves as a vehicle to preview student compositions/arrangements. Instrumentation: 5 saxes; 5 trumpets; 5 trombones; piano; bass; drums; and guitar. Three-quarter commitment required (fall, winter, spring).

Thursdays 8:15 – 10:15 pm
DAVID LEFEBVRE   (10 weeks)  $255