Calendar of Events › Concerts

Join us for an afternoon of deeply swinging jazz from some of the top players in the Bay Area: Chuck MacKinnon, trumpet; Al Bent, trombone; Mark Levine, piano; John Wiitala, bass; and Ron Marabuto, drums.

The Jazzschool is pleased to include this event as part of National Chamber Music Month.

Showcasing middle school jazz programs from throughout the Bay Area, this unique event provides school programs the opportunity to perform alongside their peers in a friendly, non-competitive environment. Select middle schools perform for each other and receive awards and scholarships. Join these young musicians at the Jazzschool for an exciting evening featuring the future of jazz!

Put on your high heel sneakers and boogie shoes, bring your friends, and hang out, dance, and party to your favorite Motown and R&B classics. Comprised of veteran musicians who have sung and played for thousands of parties in their long careers, Jean Fineberg & The Party Monsters will rock the Jazzschool for an afternoon of music and fun.

Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. Welsman’s vocals run the gamut from hauntingly reminiscent of Peggy Lee to swinging à la Ella; her piano accompaniment recalls Count Basie. Welsman’s most recent CD Journey (Justin Time Records) has been nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2013 Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of our Grammys). Carol’s previous album, I like Men! Reflections of Miss Peggy Lee, was voted a 2010 Top 5 Album of the Year in USA Today. Carol’s trio includes the great Gary Brown on bass and LA-based Jimmy Branly on drums.

“Welsman is that rarest of discoveries:  a fully formed artist with the musicality, imagination and looks to cruise to the top of the jazz vocal genre… She balances the poetry of the words with the flow of the melody in a fashion rarely heard… ”  – Los Angeles Times

Vocalist and guitarist Charles Charnas presents fresh takes on standards in this CD release party for Tall Drink of Water.

Vocalist and lyricist Ellen Johnson has a longstanding affinity for the music of the great composer, bassist and bandleader Charles Mingus. Her version of “Peggy’s Blue Skylight” on her debut CD, Too Good To Title featured alto saxophonist and frequent Mingus collaborator Charles McPherson, and with the permission of Sue Mingus and Jazz Workshop, Johnson has composed original lyrics to a handful of Mingus originals.  Johnson has also performed and or recorded with Sheila Jordan, Bobby McFerrin, Louie Bellson, Pete Christlieb, Roy McCurdy, Billy Drummond, Larry Koonse, John Stowell, Cameron Brown and Hugh Martin. Featuring Jason Martineau, piano; Aaron Germain, bass; and Alan Hall, drums.

Combining a fusion of great jazz, rock and Latin music to get your feet moving, the People Power Band sends the message of empowerment with the availability of information and control anywhere, anytime from mobile devices, people can make their homes more efficient, smarter, safer, and more comfortable.  Featuring originals such as “Happy Birthday Mother Earth” along with Latin favorites such as “Smooth” and “Oye Como Va,” this eleven-piece is led by Gene Wang who also doubles as the CEO of People Power (peoplepowerco.com), an award-winning mobile platform company bringing Internet-connected products into the hands of smartphone users based in Silicon Valley, the People Power Band will put you on a smokin’ hot path to sustainability!  Featuring Mary Blaser, vocals, Jerry Fiddler, guitar; Sally Wang, vocals; Will Russ, vocals; Gene Wang, flute and alto sax; Don Beck, trumpet and acoustic guitar; Paul Tarantino, tenor sax; David Moss, trumpet; Jeffrey Wash, bass; Scott Welsh, drums, and Rainer Boelzle, percussion.

A Grammy-nominated composer, arranger and Jazzschool Institute faculty member, pianist Marcos Silva has toured with Paquito D’Rivera, Bud Shank, and was musical director for Flora Purim and Airto Moreira for 23 years. Among other accomplishments, he has written arrangements for Dizzy Gillespie’s band and replaced Gil Evans as composer and arranger of Airto’s Spiritual Mass in Germany. Marcos returns with a stellar trio featuring bassist Scott Thompson and drummer Phil Thompson.