Five-time Grammy Award winner H.E.R. with young musicians at Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Photo courtesy Asterisk Collective.
Oaktown Jazz Workshops is dedicated to cultivating appreciation and understanding for this uniquely American art form in the community. Our students and faculty give musical presentations in local schools and libraries. Oaktown Jazz Workshops also provides opportunities for our students to learn from high-profile touring musicians who are in town to perform on legendary stages such as Yoshi’s and Zellerbach.
Photo by Ravi Abcarian
Jazz in the Schools
Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Jazz in the Schools program brings interactive concert assemblies to public schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Students experience live music performed by a full band while learning about jazz history, influential artists, and how to listen to and appreciate the music. Oaktown Jazz Workshops also partners with public schools to bring our instructors into middle school jazz band classes to lead sectionals and conduct clinics. Interested in having us visit your school? CONTACT US today for more information.
Photo by David De Hart
Oaktown Jazz in the Library
Oaktown Jazz in the Library brings live music to public libraries, for the delight and education of people of every age and from every walk of life. Between tunes, our young musicians, youth mentors, and instructors talk about the history of jazz, its influence on contemporary music, famous musicians, and tips on how to listen to and appreciate jazz, involving the audience in the discussion. Our multi-generational and multi-racial performances reinforce the power and possibility of the Bay Area’s diverse cultures connecting through the arts. CONTACT US if you’re interested in us coming to your library!
Jazz Encounter with Ali Jackson at Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Photo by Jack Dorsey.
Jazz Encounters
Jazz Encounters are special opportunities for Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ students to meet and learn from world-class touring musicians. The format changes from artist to artist, ranging from lecture/demonstrations to hands-on jam sessions. Some of the artists who have graciously donated their time include:
Chief Adjuah, Terence Blanchard, Michael Brecker, George Brooks, George Cables, Will Calhoun, Art Farmer, Sonny Fortune, Benny Green, Roy Hargrove, Billy Harper, Winard Harper, Gene Harris, Kevin Hays, H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson), Billy Higgins, Dave Holland, Ali Jackson, Javon Jackson, Howard Jones, Sean Jones, Curtis Lundy, Bryan Lynch, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Cecil McBee, Les McCann, Charles McNeal, Charnett Moffett, Frank Morgan, Ulysses Owens Jr., Nicholas Payton, Prasanna, Joshua Redman, Sonny Rollins, Arturo Sandoval, John Santos, Leni Stern, Mike Stern, Mads Tolling, Steve Turre, Lenny White, Phil Woods, Roy “Future Man” Wooten, Victor Wooten, and Joe Zawinul