The Jazzschool is an innovative nonprofit organization dedicated to the study and performance of jazz — America’s indigenous art form —and related styles of music from around the world. Founded in 1997, the Jazzschool is located in the historic Kress Building at Shattuck and Addison, in the heart of the Downtown Berkeley Arts District. The Jazzschool is part of a vibrant East Bay arts community that includes the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Aurora Theatre, East Bay Media Center and renowned Cal Performances at the University of California.

Hailed as one of the nation’s most comprehensive centers for jazz studies, the Jazzschool offers instrumentalists and vocalists of all ages and skill levels a broad spectrum of performance ensembles, lectures, workshops and private instruction. Courses are designed for the professional musician, the serious student and the jazz aficionado seeking personal enrichment. A multi-faceted institution, the Jazzschool comprises several key components.

Jazzschool Institute

The Jazzschool Institute is a music conservatory offering the aspiring professional a comprehensive 4-year degree program culminating in the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. The Institute provides a challenging curriculum of performance, jazz theory and improvisation, ear training, composition, arranging, transcription and analysis, and music history courses, taught by professional artists and educators. Coursework also includes music business, music technology and financial planning, thoroughly preparing students for a fulfilling career in the performing arts.

Jazzschool Community Music School (JCMS)

The JCMS provides music education and performance opportunities for people of all ages and levels of ability. Consisting of the JCMS Adult Music Program and the JCMS Young Musicians Program, the JCMS operates year-round on a quarterly basis and offers over 100 ensembles, courses and workshops to build all aspects of musicianship. Students are routinely featured in concert performances, open to the public. With a formidable faculty of renowned musicians and educators, the JCMS is a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s thriving music scene.

JCMS ADULT MUSIC PROGRAM

The Jazzschool Adult Music Program offers life-enriching opportunities to learn about and play jazz and related styles of music from throughout the world. Courses are available for both instrumentalists and vocalists, and everyone from young adult to senior citizen is welcome. Instruction and performances occur primarily in late afternoons, evenings and on weekends, making the program easily accessible to the working professional.

JCMS YOUNG MUSICIANS PROGRAM

The Jazzschool Young Musicians Program offers middle and high school students of all skill levels a wide variety of combos, big bands and vocal performance courses throughout the entire year, as well as camps during the summer. Select ensembles participate in national competitions, and Jazzschool bands have routinely taken top awards from DownBeat, the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival and others.

Workshops

Visiting artists and Jazzschool faculty lead fascinating and practical workshops, typically a single session of two or three hours in length and held on a Sunday. Content may focus on any specific aspect of jazz theory or performance, such as playing in odd time signatures or the art of vocal improvisation. Past workshops have been taught by prominent musicians from Bobby McFerrin to Dave Liebman, Janis Siegel, Peter Erskine, Sheila Jordan, Nguyên Lê and others.

Concerts

The Jazzschool facility includes an intimate venue with seating capacity of 100. Throughout the year, Jazzschool faculty and students perform for the public, providing a real-world incubator for developing new concepts and gaining audience exposure in the competitive Bay Area environment. High-profile artists have performed at the Jazzschool, including Terence Blanchard, Art Lande, Kim Nalley, Taylor Eigsti, Sachal Vasandani and many more.

Jazzschool Books & Records

The Jazzschool’s in-house retail store is a treasure trove of jazz-related reading and listening materials. It provides students, teachers and the public with convenient access to extraordinary books, recordings, videos and accessories.

Jazzcaffè

Located within the Jazzschool facility, the Jazzcaffè serves up delectable fare for students and visitors to enjoy a convenient bite to eat. A changing menu features house-made soups, salads and sandwiches, as well as beer, wine, espresso and desserts. Drop by for a great meal to match the great music!

Transportation

The Jazzschool is easily accessible by car and public transportation. The downtown Berkeley BART station and AC Transit bus stops are within a block. There is a public parking garage just a few steps away on Addison, in addition to metered street parking throughout the neighborhood.

REFUND POLICY
Registration fees and first class tuition for classes are non-refundable. Requests to drop must be received in writing within 48 hours of the first class meeting in order to qualify for a refund; please visit the main office or e-mail drop@jazzschool.org to request a refund. Refunds for remaining tuition are not possible after the 48-hour drop deadline.

$100 per week of camp tuition is non-refundable; the remainder is refundable only until the cancellation deadline (see program information). Refunds are not possible after the cancellation deadline.

Tuition for intensives, workshops and short-term classes is non-refundable.

Exceptions may be granted only in the case of extremely serious medical or family emergencies; please enclose a doctor’s note and/or other supplementary documentation with your request. Please note that refunds will not be granted for classes dropped due to scheduling conflicts arising after the start of the session.

Please note: Refunds make take up to 30 days to process.

TICKETS SALES
All ticket sales are final. Refunds or exchanges are not possible.

Concert and workshop tickets are available online at www.jazzschool1997.eventbrite.com/
By phone (Toll Free):1-866-384-3060 Monday–Friday 9am – 5pm
In Person at the Jazzschool, 2087 Addison Street, Berkeley. Monday – Saturday 10am – 5:30pm, Sundays 11am – 3pm
For more information please call the Jazzschool at (510) 845-5373

All concerts are $5 for students enrolled in the Jazzschool Young Musicians Program. Purchase a package of 5 or more concerts and receive a 20% discount!

All concerts are $5 for youth under 12. Discounted tickets available to seniors (65+) and students with valid ID.
Ticketing Policies: All ticket sales are final. Refunds or exchanges are not possible.

SEATING POLICY
Performances start promptly at the published time. Doors open 30 minutes  prior to performances. Seating is “open” and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note: an advance sale ticket does NOT guarantee late comers a seat. Late comers may be asked to wait in the lobby until intermission or an appropriate interval to be seated.

EMAIL POLICY
Information collected by the mailing list form is used solely for the purpose of notifying you of Jazzschool events or related information that might interest you. We have no intent to sell or otherwise distribute your e-mail address and/or information to any other entity.