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 and developing improvisation skills.

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
SEWARD MCCAIN  (10 weeks)  $365

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
SEWARD MCCAIN  (10 weeks)  $365

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

Please note: first class meeting is Tuesday September 29 (all sections)

 

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

Ballad Ensemble
This intermediate/advanced level ensemble performs and discusses the classic slow songs of the jazz repertoire, focusing
especially on phrasing and feel, and the rhythmic, harmonic and technical tools they require. Students also explore double-time feel, rubato, cadenzas, and unconventional slow grooves.

Tuesdays 4:45 – 6:15 pm
anton schwartz (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.

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

Pardo Jazz Ensemble

An intermediate to advanced-level ensemble. Repertoire is selected to allow for the study of II-V-I progressions (How High the Moon, Stella by Starlight), blues progressions, back-cycles (Night and Day, I Thought About You), dominant sequences (Jordu, Dig), Rhythm changes (I Got Rhythm, Oleo), “Coltrane Changes” (Giant Steps, Countdown), symmetrical modulation (e.g. Inner Urge, Giant Steps), metric modulation (e.g. Footprints, Someday My Prince Will Come), odd meters (Take 5, Spectrum, and odd meter arrangements of tunes originally composed in standard meters), changing meters (How My Heart Sings, Joshua), and less common modes of the melodic and harmonic minor scales (such as the phrygian dominant and lydian augmented modes). Students are given the opportunity to play music from a variety of idioms, from jazz to blues to Latin jazz to fusion. Student composition is also encouraged.

Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
BRIAN PARDO (10 weeks) $365

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

Organ Trio Plus Horns

An ensemble in the traditional organ trio format: organ, drums and electric guitar plus horns focusing on the blues, jazz standards and classic organ tunes by masters including Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Larry Young. Special attention given to developing good bass lines! Open to: 2 organists/ pianists, 2 guitarists, 1 drummer and 2-3 horn players.

Prerequisites: organists/pianists: ability to play through the blues and several jazz standards. Knowledge of walking bass lines is extremely helpful. Guitarists and horn players: ability to comp/solo through several standards. Drummers: an understanding of form.

Tuesdays 4:45 – 6:15 pm
WIL BLADES (10 weeks) $365

Hard Bop Boot Camp

An ensemble covering the repertoire of Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Woody Shaw, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Lee Morgan and others. Class focuses on improvising over these harmonically sophisticated tunes and handling extended forms.

Prerequisite: an intermediate/advanced level understanding of jazz improvisation and the ability to read music at an intermediate level.

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

Modal, Fusion, and Other Post Bebop Jazz Styles

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 Rhythm Section Workout!
An ensemble focusing on essential rhythm section skills. Students work on complicated rhythmic figures, tricky arrangements, hits and set-ups in an ensemble setting. Students also work on smoothly transitioning from one feel to another and explore advanced rhythm concepts including metric modulation. For intermediate to advanced students. Open to all rhythm section instruments (piano, guitar, vibes, bass, drums) and one or more horn players.

Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
alan hall (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! Concludes with a performance at the Jazzschool! 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

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

 Related WORKSHOPS

Jazz Flamenco — A 3-day workshop
Open to everyone (beginner, intermediate, and advanced level). Students gain knowledge of the different rhythms and harmony of flamenco including bulería, seguiriya and tangos flamencos, as a basis for improvisation. Students should bring their instruments and an audio recording device (optional).

Day 1 Topics Covered:
• Introduction to flamenco and its history
• Tangos flamencos: history, rhythm, harmony
• Listening to a transcription from Camarón with Paco de Lucía or Niña Pastori (harmony, rhythm and cues)
• Claps for tangos flamencos.
• Jam over tangos flamencos.

Day 2 Topics Covered:
• Review of tangos flamencos
• Bulerías: history, rhythm, harmony
• Listening to a transcription (harmony, rhythm and cues) of Diego Amador, Chano Dominguez, and Paco de Lucia
• Claps for bulerías.
• Jam over bulerías rhythm

Day 3 Topics Covered:
• Review of tangos and bulerías.
• Seguiriya: history, rhythm, harmony
• Listening to transcriptions (harmony, rhythm and cues)
• Claps for seguiriya
• Jam over the seguiriya rhythm

A 3-part workshop • Sundays May 2, 9, 16 • 2 – 4 pm each Sunday
alejandro carrasco $90 Jazzschool students/$105 others