Registration for spring and summer programs now open

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You can now register for our spring and summer jazz immersion programs! Don’t forget to register by February 1, 2015 to receive the $50 Early Bird discount. Need help deciding which program is right for you or your child? Visit the links below to read about each program.

  • Giant Steps Day Camp  for middle school students offers a fun week of learning jazz styles and improvisation in big band and small group settings. No audition is required for admission, but students will be evaluated in advance to determine class placement.
  • Jazz Camp is for musicians aged 12 – 17, and provides a fun, encouraging environment in which to get immersed in jazz improvisation and combo playing. No audition is required for admission, but students will be evaluated in advance to determine class placement.
  • 2-Week Jazz Comprehensive provides 13 days of structured instruction in jazz improvisation, jazz performance, and instrumental and vocal mastery. No audition is required for admission, but students will be evaluated in advance to determine class placement.
  • Jazz Institute gives instrumentalists and vocalists a chance to work with the greatest jazz artists of our time. Auditions are required only for first-time applicants to the Vocal Program and for first-time instrumental applicants aged 17 or younger. All students will be evaluated in advance for class placement.
  • 2-Week Jazz Advanced Intensive for experienced high school musicians offers the best of both worlds: the structured curriculum of Jazz Camp and direct contact with the top jazz artists at the Jazz Institute. Auditions are required.
  • Giant Steps Jazz Singers gives middle school singers a fantastic introduction to ensemble singing and vocal improvisation.

Don’t forget, financial aid is available. Click here to learn more about financial aid.

Schedule your audition for the SJW Giant Steps Big Band now

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Thanks to your support, last year’s Giant Steps Big Band for Middle School was a huge success, so much so that this Fall we’re offering two after-school big bands.

Giant Steps Big Band North will rehearse Wednesdays at Carlmont High School, and will be directed by Mike Galisatus, of the College of San Mateo.

Giant Steps Big Band South will rehearse Tuesdays at The Harker School in Santa Clara, and will be directed by Dave Gregoric.

As with last year’s successful band, the program is in a big band format, and its focus is on developing improvisations skills, mastering jazz styles and articulations, and instilling good practice discipline.

We’ll hold auditions in two weeks for the program at Stanford University on September 6 and 7, and the weekly rehearsals will begin on September 23 at The Harker School, and September 24 at Carlmont High.

For more information, click here.

To schedule an audition, write [email protected] or call 650-736-0324.

Kenny Burrell shines at Stanford Jazz with new quartet

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We have been privileged this past week to have Kenny Burrell on our faculty at Jazz Institute! He delivered a series of invigorating masterclasses on guitar performance as well as the music of Duke Ellington. On Monday he performed at the Stanford Jazz Festival, first as a duo with masterful pianist Fred Hersch, and then with a brand new quartet consisting of Dena DeRose on piano, David Wong on bass, and Peter Erskine on drums. The star-studded performance was one for the ages! In addition to his active performance schedule, Kenny also teaches actively at UCLA where he is the Director of Jazz Studies and a Distinguished Professor of Jazz and Ethnomusicology.

Jazz Camp Week 2 Showcase schedule and other info

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Tonight’s the night! The Jazz Camp Week 3 Showcase will feature nearly 200 rising stars of jazz performing on four stages. How do you find out who is performing on which stage at which time? Download the Jazz Camp Showcase schedule here, then read below to find out how to interpret the schedule.
Here’s how the schedule is organized:
  • Jazz Camp participants are listed alphabetically by last name
  • The center column indicates combos that rehearse in the early afternoon, which are known as “early combos”
  • The right column indicates combos that rehearse in the late afternoon, which are known as “late combos”
  • Vocalists will perform in Braun Rehearsal Hall, Room 110, and their performance order is indicated in the center column
The numbers indicate the order in which the combos perform on a particular stage:
  • If your combo or vocalist is indicated as “05”, that means they will be the fifth to perform.
  • Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Dinkelspiel, Campbell, and Braun Rehearsal Hall; performances on the Outdoor Stage begin at 6 p.m.
  • Each performance takes approximately 12 – 15 minutes, so a combo slated to perform fifth on the Dinkelspiel stage would begin at between 8 and 8:15 p.m.
  • A combo slated to perform eighth (08) on the Outdoor stage would begin at between 7: 30 and 7:45  p.m.
  • Vocal performances take approximately 5 minutes, so a vocalist slated to perform fourth in Braun Rehearsal Hall, Room 110, would begin at approximately 7:15.
Friends and Family Dinner
If you’re purchased tickets for the Friends and Family Dinner, you can pick them up in front of Tresidder Union, directly across from Dinkelspiel Auditorium, at 5:30 p.m.
New this year: Combo photos
Following each combo’s performance, the performers will proceed to our new Photo Station next to Dinkelspiel Auditorium to have a band portrait taken. Photo prints and downloads will be available for sale online following the Showcase.

Master percussionist Tupac Mantilla launches new World Percussion program at Jazz Institute

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World percussionist Tupac Mantilla returns to the 2014 SJW Jazz Institute to launch the new World Percussion @ SJW program, an intensive week of percussion study for all musicians interested in making music with drums, hand percussion, mallet instruments, body percussion, and found instruments. In collaboration with Tupac’s percussion organization Percuaction, we’re excited to present a program of world percussion study from the Global Rhythm Institute, which draws on rhythmic traditions from music cultures around the world. Tupac’s curriculum includes classes such as “The African Connection,” “Introduction to Body Percussion,” “A Western Approach to Indian Rhythmic Concepts,” “Latin Percussion,” and “A Choreographic Approach to Rhythm,” among many other topics. In addition to participating in hands-on classes focused on particular styles, you’ll get instruction on a wide variety of instruments, including cajon, djembe, shekere, bongos, congas, bells, shakers, and more. Increase your rhythmic vocabulary and ensemble skills in daily percussion ensemble rehearsals, and show the world your new cross-cultural percussive styles on the main stage at the Jazz Institute Showcase.

Tupac Mantilla has dedicated his life to exploring global rhythms, and he performs with top artists around the world, including Bobby McFerrin, Zakir Hussain, Danilo Perez, Kenny Werner, John Pattitucci, Savion Glover, Steve Smith, John Medeski, Cecil McBee, Jamey Haddad, Julian Lage, and many others. He is the founder and director of the global percussion network Percuaction and has developed with a global team of percussionists the curriculum for Percuaction’s Global Rhythm Institute. Click here to view Tupac’s faculty profile.

No audition is necessary to enroll in World Percussion @ SJW; the program is open to all musicians age 18 or older who have had at least one year of musical instruction. Musicians aged 17 and under may apply but must submit a brief essay describing their musical background and why they want to participate in the World Percussion program.

To enroll, just select “percussion” as your instrument on the registration page of the SJW Jazz Institute.

2014 – 2015 SJW Jazz Mentors Announced

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We are thrilled to announce our new SJW Jazz Mentors for the 2014 – 2015 seasons:

This group represents some of the best and brightest emerging artists and jazz educators. Selected from a highly competitive pool of nearly 200 applicants, our SJW Mentors join the Jazz Camp faculty for two years, receiving invaluable teacher training and performance opportunities. Click here to learn more about the SJW Jazz Mentor program.

Congratulations to our new Jazz Mentors!

SJW Members get the best seats first!

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Stanford Jazz Workshop members enjoy real benefits and support America’s indigenous art form.

Join SJW to cultivate the next generation of jazz musicians and music lovers while celebrating the best artists of today! Your support of Stanford Jazz Workshop educational programs and the Stanford Jazz Festival helps build and maintain a vital jazz community.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!

BASIC MEMBER BENEFITS FOR STANFORD JAZZ FESTIVAL TICKETS — ALL LEVELS
  • Best seats first — weeks before tickets go on sale to the general public.
  • No fees — ticket service fees waived, worth up to $6.00 per ticket.*
  • Members-only events — attend a Listening Party with Kenny Barron, June 20.  More 2014 members-only events to be announced.
ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS
Higher levels of membership gain valuable advantages:
  • Student (age 25 & under):  $25Recognition in concert programs
  • Jazz Lover:  $75-$19925% off SJW merchandise (excluding CDs & books)
  • Jazz Advocate:  $200-$499 One pair of tickets to a select Festival concert
  • Jazz Master:  $500-$999Two pairs of tickets to select Festival concerts
Become a member of SJW today at stanfordjazz.org or by calling 650.736.0324.
* Note: Stanford Ticket Office service fees are $4 per ticket plus $2 for the print-at-home option.

Take your support up a notch — in the Inner Circle.

When you become a member of SJW at either the Director’s or Producer’s level, you provide inspiring and often life-changing arts education experiences for thousands of SJW students and SJF listeners — helping to guarantee the future of jazz. You also gain access to the most exclusive Inner Circle events, maximizing your connection with the SJW community. Inner Circle members enjoy all the benefits listed above, plus:

  • Director’s Circle: $1,000-$2,499Concierge ticket service & seat selection with special attention from SJF staff Invitations to special Workshop events Invitations to Festival backstage receptions
  • Producer’s Circle:   $2,500-$4,999All Director’s Circle benefitsInvitations to intimate house concertsInvitations to exclusive listening parties with special guest artists
For further information about how you can play a part in the SJW Inner Circle, please contact Nathan Davis, Development Director, at[email protected] or 650.736.0324 extension 307.

Register now for our adult jazz programs

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Get that horn out of the closet, dust off your jazz guitar, and sign up for one (or more!) of our Evening Jazz Classes. These classes are sure to take your jazz chops to the next level, whether you’ve been playing over chord changes for years or if you’re a classical musician interested in improvising. All skill levels are welcome. Click here for more information.

  • The Guided Jam is a fun evening jam program tailored to adults. Taught by experienced SJW faculty members, this program is perfect for musicians looking to fill in their theory knowledge and apply it in real time. Students will learn and jam on common jazz standards that will offer dozens of approaches to improvisation. Participants will also engage in daily practice and evaluation via the groundbreaking computer program MakeMusic SmartMusic®. Have fun meeting other jazz-minded local adults while you improve your jazz skills.
  • Jazz Theory is a class taught by SJW faculty member Richard Sears. It is ideal for those with little knowledge of jazz theory or who may need a refresher course. Richard will give you the theoretical foundation that you need to build the best solo possible. Easily taken in conjunction with The Guided Jam.
  • Beginning and intermediate pianists will enjoy Jazz Piano with Richard Sears. Taught in a group setting, all pianists will get invaluable experience as they begin their jazz journey. Classical pianists looking to transition to jazz are strongly encouraged. Students will learn jazz standards and the fundamentals of jazz theory as they improve their improvisation skills.

 

For a more immersive jazz experience adults may register for the Jazz Institute, a weeklong summer intensive. Students will receive personalized instrument-specific instruction and improvisation coaching from the Jazz Institute’s impressive faculty roster. This summer’s Jazz Institute features such legendary faculty members as:

…and many more! Click here for a complete list of faculty.

The Jazz Institute is ideal for anyone who is looking to hone their improvisation skills, whether they are a professional musician or a newcomer to jazz, in an immersive, supportive environment. Students will participate in daily combo rehearsals so each musician will have plenty of time to improvise and receive coaching. Play and learn with other adults while you have the time of your life! Click here for more information about Jazz Institute.

Jazz strings this summer at SJW

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This summer at the Stanford Jazz Workshop we’re pleased to offer a fantastic opportunity for string players of all ages to study jazz in a friendly and stimulating environment on the Stanford University campus. SJW specializes in helping classically-trained musicians learn the creative art of improvisation through small ensemble performance, jazz theory instruction, master classes, and more.

Financial aid is available for students aged 17 and under. Please have your students apply soon, though, as the deadline for financial aid applications is March 24, 2014. For more information on financial aid, click here.

For middle school students, our Jazz Day Camp begins on Monday, July 14, runs through Friday, July 18, and features Grammy-winning jazz violinist Mads Tolling as our string program director.  This program has no on-campus overnight accommodations; it’s a day camp only. Click here for more information.

High school students and advanced middle schoolers can attend either or both weeks of Jazz Camp (July 20-25 and July 27 – August 1), where acclaimed performer and educator Victor Lin directs the string program in a fun, supportive environment. Students reside in convenient Stanford University dorm housing and attend the nightly performances at the Stanford Jazz Festival.  Click here for more information.

For college students, music educators, adult amateurs, and professionals, the Jazz Institute (August 3 – August 8) provides an immersive experience in which string players can learn from both Mads Tolling and Victor Lin, while also studying with other great artists such as Larry Grenadier, Fred Hersch, George Cables, Chick Corea, Mark Turner, Jeff Ballard, and many more. This program is open to advanced high school musicians aged 17 or under by audition only.  Click here for more information.

New after-school program for middle schoolers in Belmont

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We’re very excited to announce the launch of a new after-school program for middle school musicians: the SJW Giant Steps Middle School Band.

Directed by Dave Gregoric, and assisted by Steven Lugerner, David Hart, and Joshua Thurston-Milgrom, this fun big band focuses on developing improvisational skills, mastering jazz styles and articulations, and instilling good practice discipline.

Enrollment is open by audition only to any middle school musician currently enrolled in the music program at their school, within driving distance of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Click here for the details of the program.