The Jazzschool

10/13/2026

The new Welcome to Jazz series continues with the third of 8 sessions. This week with special guest Jeremy Steinkoler!

10/17 @ 2PM: Welcome to Jazz: What is Groove? with Erika Oba

Also this week:

10/15 @ 6:30PM: Drop-in Improvisation with Ian Carey

10/18 @ 12PM: Basic Music Theory for Vocalists with Danny Caron

See all the workshops and register: jazzschool.org/workshops

10/13/2026

Vocalist Christelle Durandy makes her Jazzschool debut this Saturday with her quartet, presenting ¡LAS que escribieron! as part of our ¡Sonidos Latinos! concert series.

Oct 17 8 PM
Advance tickets strongly recommended! This concert will sell out. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Also this week:

FREE! Brown Bag Jazz Hangs: Christopher Clarke on Lee Morgan
Wed @ 12:30pm.

concerts.jazzschool.org

10/07/2026

Berkeley arts are part of what makes our community sing.

This November, Berkeley voters will see Measure Y on the ballot, a measure connected to funding for local arts and culture.

The measure is intended to support Berkeley’s nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, including performing arts, music, dance, visual arts, festivals, and youth arts education.

For organizations like the Jazzschool—and for the artists, students, teachers, audiences, and neighbors who make up Berkeley’s creative community—local investment in the arts can have an impact far beyond the stage. It helps create places where people can learn, perform, connect, and make music together.

Berkeley’s creative spaces help make our community a special place to live, learn, play, and connect. Learn more about Measure Y and what it could mean for Berkeley’s arts community: yesforberkeleyarts.com

10/07/2026

What makes jazz swing?

This Saturday, Erika Oba is joined by guest artist Carrie Jahde for Introduction to Swing, part 2 of the 8-part Welcome to Jazz series.
Through guided listening, musical demonstrations, and conversation, explore the sound and feel of swing—and how rhythm makes jazz move.

📅 Saturday, October 10
🕝 2–3:30pm
📍 The Jazzschool + online
🎟 $20 No musical experience necessary.

And there’s a lot more to explore at the Jazzschool this week and weekend:

Drop-In Improvisation with Ian Carey — jump into improvisation and make music with other players.

How to Win at Scatting! with Michele Weir — get practical tools for s**t singing and vocal improvisation. Online.

Intro to Reading Rhythms with Sami Stevens — strengthen your rhythm-reading skills and confidence.

Making the Most of Your Maturing Voice with Sandy Cressman — learn strategies and exercises to help keep you singing.

Which one sounds like you?

See all the workshops and register: jazzschool.org/workshops

10/07/2026

💃 Two concerts. One big weekend of live music.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10: Bay Area trumpeter, pianist, and composer Marco Díaz makes his Jazzschool debut with ¡Sonidos Latinos! Marco Díaz Quartet.

Hear original music filled with Afro-Caribbean sounds and grooves, a danzón rooted in Puerto Rican and Cuban traditions, and a dance-floor-ready medley of salsa classics.

And yes—the dance floor will be open.

🕗 8–9:30pm
Featuring Marco Díaz, Steve Senft-Herrera, Julio Pérez, and Carlos Medrano.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11: Our resident big band, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, is back with special guest pianist Edward Simon.
Two nights. Two very different sounds. Come spend the weekend with us at the Jazzschool.

🎟 Marco Díaz Quartet:
concerts.jazzschool.org/sonidos-latinos-marco-daz-quartet

🎟 Electric Squeezebox Orchestra + Edward Simon:
concerts.jazzschool.org/electric-squeezebox-orchestra-with-special-guest-edward-simon-piano

10/01/2026

We’re in this week’s Culture Circuit!

Thanks to music writer Andrew Gilbert and Albany Scanner for highlighting this Saturday’s concert with Edgardo Cambón & LaTiDo at The Jazzschool. (Albany Scanner)

Andrew celebrates Edgardo’s four decades on the Bay Area Latin music scene—from his work as a vocalist, percussionist, composer and bandleader to collaborations with artists including Chucho Valdés, Eddie Palmieri, Carlos Santana and the Pacific Mambo Orchestra. (Albany Scanner)

Come hear him live as we kick off our ¡Sonidos Latinos! series celebrating Latino Heritage Month. Edgardo is joined by Charlie Gurke on saxophone, Saúl Sierra on bass, and Marco Díaz on piano and trumpet. (Albany Scanner)

Saturday, October 3
8 PM
The Jazzschool, Berkeley
🎟️ $25/$15

Thank you, Andrew and Albany Scanner, for shining a light on live music happening around the East Bay.

Join us Saturday night!
Tickets at concerts.jazzschool.org 

https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/09/30/arts-culture/culture-circuit-oct-1-2026/

This week's picks for live music, singalongs, film and author talks around the East Bay.

10/01/2026

While you were away… the pianos got some love. 🎹💜

Over the summer, two well-loved Jazzschool pianos—“Beatrice” and “Naima”—received much-needed repairs and restoration. From keys and hammers to dampers and action work, they’re refreshed and ready for another season of classes, rehearsals, and performances. Thank you Piedmont Piano Company!

And there’s even more to celebrate: we met our spring and summer fundraising goal and unlocked a matching gift from a longtime supporter!

To everyone who donated to PianoLove and supported the Jazzschool this year: thank you. Your gifts help care for the instruments we play every day and support the classes, programs, faculty, and community that fill the school with music.

We can’t wait for you to hear these pianos back in action.

Pianists and ensemblemates, enjoy!

09/30/2026

Ever wonder what’s actually happening onstage at a jazz concert?

What’s a walking bass line? What’s bebop? How do musicians know when to solo? And what exactly happens at a jam session?

Welcome to Jazz is a chance to make sense of the music—without making it feel like music school.

In this video, instructor Erika Oba shares more about the class and what you’ll explore together. Through listening, live demonstrations, and conversation, you’ll learn what to listen for, how jazz musicians communicate, and why the music works the way it does.

No musical experience needed. Just curiosity.

Welcome to Jazz with Erika Oba
Saturdays, Oct. 3–Nov. 21
2–3:30 pm
In person + online
Full 8-week series or drop in for a session

Learn more & register → jazzschool.org/workshops

09/30/2026

Workshops at the Jazzschool this week!

10/1 at 6:30pm: Drop-In Improvisation Workshop with Ian Carey

10/3 at 2pm: Welcome to Jazz with Erika Oba

10/4 at 12pm: The Singer’s Essential Guide to Jam Sessions with Pamela Rose

10/4 at 2pm: Play Jazz, Blues, Rock Piano by Ear with Andy Ostwald

https://jazzschool.org/community-programs/workshops/