We'll announce our family events in May, 2012, but in the meantime, get an idea of the great times headed your way by reading about some of the special events from last season.

Your kids will sing, dance, and join in the fun at our Early Bird Jazz for Kids concerts. Anyone who’s ever wondered here the song stops and the solos begin will be thrilled with Jim Nadel’s Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Jazz concert.  Bring the whole family to the Jazz Camp and Jazz Residency recitals for an inspirational evening of jazz performed by young artists.

Early Bird Jazz for Kids: Jim Nadel and Friends
Saturday, June 25
10 a.m.
Dinkelspiel
Kids free, adults $5 advance/$10 at the door

Turn your kids on to jazz at this fun, family-friendly show. You’ll meet all the instruments, hear familiar songs done up in swinging new ways, and see some of the Bay Area’s finest jazz performers close-up. The first 30 minutes are geared toward those 5 years old and under, and the second 30 minutes are aimed at those 6 years old and older. Stay after the concert to ask questions, and then try out instruments at the Instrument Petting Zoo! Have lunch on the plaza and listen to the SJW Faculty All-Stars play a free concert. A perfect day for jazz, at a perfect price.

Early Bird Jazz for Kids: Keith Terry and the Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble
Saturday, July 9
10 a.m.
Dinkelspiel
Kids free, adults $5 advance/$10 at the door

Everyone gets involved in this fun-for-the-family event, after which you and your kids will never hear rhythm the same way again! Keith Terry and his band of dancing, singing drummers and body musicians bring the world of rhythm to the stage in ways that will amaze, delight, and inspire everyone in your family. NPR describes the music as, “. . . a crossing of cultures, a blurring of boundaries at its most sensitive, most humanistic, and most magical.”

Everything You Wanted to Know About Jazz
Sunday, July 10
2:30 p.m.
Dinkelspiel
Kids free, adults $5 advance/$10 at the door

What makes jazz different from other music? SJW Executive and Artistic Director Jim Nadel picks up his sax and leads a band of top-notch players to help illustrate his good humored and enlightening explanations. Confused by jazz stage behavior, jargon, and liner notes? Bring your preconceptions, questions, and curiosity to this entertaining and edifying event. You’ll leave wiser and hipper!

Jazz Camp Week 1 Student Recital
Friday, July 22
6:00 p.m.
Dinkelspiel, Campbell, others
FREE

Over 200 young jazz artists take the stage in this music-packed free community event. Bring the whole family to see how much fun kids can have playing jazz. In four convenient venues, you can see dozens of jazz combos and vocalists playing everything from cool jazz to bebop, and from standards to original songs.

Jazz Camp Week 2 Student Recital
Friday, July 29
6:00 p.m.
Dinkelspiel, Campbell Recital Hall, Braun Rehearsal Hall, CoHo, Tresidder Plaza.
FREE

With a new blend of instruction and experience, the young jazz artists who take the stage in this music-packed free community event are bound to bring you some exciting music. Bring the whole family and cruise our four comfortable venues to see dozens of jazz combos and vocalists performing, improvising, and having a great time.

Jazz Residency Participant Recital
Thursday, August 4
6:00 p.m.
Dinkelspiel, Campbell, others
FREE

Mixing professionals and rising stars from all over the world, the bands you’ll hear at this free community event will amaze and delight you. Over 200 jazz artists of all ages take the stage in this music-packed free community event. In four convenient venues, you can see dozens of jazz combos and vocalists playing everything from cool jazz to bebop, and from standards to original songs.