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.

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.

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.

2014 SJW faculty announced

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We’re pleased to announce the premilinary lineup for the 2014 Stanford Jazz Workshop faculty. We’re adding new faculty members every day, so please check our faculty page for detailed profiles and new additions. 

Jazz Day Camp

  • Kristen Strom (saxophone)
  • Dave Gregoric (trombone)
  • Josh Thurston-Milgrom (bass)

Jazz Camp

  • Sax: Jimmy Heath, Kristen Strom, Lynn Speakman
  • Trumpet: David Hart
  • Trombone: Dave Gregoric
  • Drums: Ndugu Chancler, Tootie Heath
  • Percussion: Tupac Mantilla
  • Piano: Jeb Patton, Taylor Eigsti, Bennett Paster Joe Gilman, Victor Lin
  • Voice: Sandy Cressman, Wendy McCain
  • Bass: Josh Thurston-Milgrom, Rob Kohler
  • Guitar: Dave Yamasaki, Scott Sorkin
  • Strings: Victor Lin

Jazz Institute

  • Special presentation: Chick Corea
  • Piano: Fred Hersch, George Cables, Taylor Eigsti, Dena DeRose, Benett Paster, Victor Lin
  • Drums: Peter Erskine, Jeff Ballard
  • Percussion: Tupac Mantilla
  • Guitar: Julian Lage
  • Bass: Larry Grenadier, Josh Thurston-Milgrom, Rob Kohler, David Wong
  • Sax: Jimmy Heath, Mark Turner, Dayna Stephens, Patrick Wolff
  • Trumpet: Jeremy Pelt
  • Voice: Madeline Eastman, Dena DeRose

Songwriting @ SJW

  • Cliff Goldmacher
  • Bonnie Hayes

Registration for 2014 SJW jazz immersion programs now open

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Online registration is now open for all of our summer jazz immersion programs, including:

  • Jazz Day Camp, our five-day program for middle school musicians directed by Dave Gregoric and Kristen Strom
  • Jazz Camp, our popular immersion camp for teens
  • Jazz Institute, where adults and advanced young jazz musicians get to learn with jazz greats and jam with peers
  • Songwriting @ SJW, led by two renowned songwriting experts, Bonnie Hayes and Cliff Goldmache

Parents often ask us which SJW program is best for their children, so we’ve created this handy comparison chart to help make it easy to choose.

Want to have a virtual jazz immersion experience before you decide? Watch our video series for Jazz Camp and for Jazz Institute.

Financial aid is available for students aged 12 – 17, and application materials are due no later than March 24, 2013. Find out more here.

Register before February 1 to receive the $50 Early Bird discount toward tuition for Jazz Day Camp, Jazz Camp, Jazz Institute, and Songwriting @ SJW!

If you have any questions about registration, please email us at [email protected] or call 650-726-0324, extension 303.

The Jazz Institute Showcase schedule now available

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Tonight’s the night! The Jazz Institute Showcase will feature almost 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 Institute Showcase schedules for Combos and Trios and for Vocalists and Piano Trios in Braun below.

For Combos and Trios

  • Jazz Institute 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”
  • The numbers indicate the order in which the combos perform on a particular stage:
  • If your combo or trio is indicated as “05”, that means they will be the fifth to perform.
  • Performances begin at 7 p.m. in Dinkelspiel, Campbell, Braun Rehearsal Hall, and CoHo.
  • Each performance takes approximately 10 minutes, so a combo slated to perform fifth on the Dinkelspiel stage would begin at 7:40 p.m.
  • A combo slated to perform fourth in the CoHo would begin at  approximately 7:30 p.m.

Download the Combos and Trios schedule here.

For Vocalists and Piano Trios in Braun

  • Performances begin at 7 p.m. in Braun Rehearsal Hall, Room 110.
  • Vocalists and Piano Trio performances are listed in order; order number is indicated to the left of their name.
  • Vocal and Piano Trio performances take approximately 5 minutes, so a Jazz Institute musician slated to perform fourth in Braun Rehearsal Hall, Room 110, would begin at approximately 7:15.

Download the Vocalists and Piano Trios in Braun schedule here.

Jazz Camp Week 2 Showcase schedule now available

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Tonight’s the night! The Jazz Camp Week 2 Showcase will feature 230 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 below.

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 10 minutes, so a combo slated to perform fifth on the Dinkelspiel stage would begin at 7:50 p.m.
  • A combo slated to perform eighth on the Outdoor stage would begin at  7:10 p.m.
  • Vocal performances take approximately 5 minutes, so a vocalist slated to perform fourth in Braun Rehearsal Hall, Romm 110, would begin at approximately 7:15.

Download a PDF of the schedule by clicking here!