Fall 2026 (3 sections)

RSVP / DETAILS

Put theory into practice and expand your jazz vocabulary. Learn classic repertoire while developing improvisation and ensemble skills in a collaborative, supportive environment. Open to all instruments.

Sections

Section 1
Mondays 6:30–8 pm
9/21–11/30
No class 11/23
Performance: 12/7
Kasey Knudsen, $475
(in-person)

Section 2
Mondays 8:15–9:45 pm
9/21–11/30
No class 11/23
Performance: 12/7
Kasey Knudsen, $475
(in-person)

Section 3
Wednesdays 8:15–9:45 pm
9/23–12/2
No class 11/25
Performance: 12/9
Eli Maliwan, $475
(in-person)

Prerequisites

Designed for students with some improvisation experience who may be new to jazz ensemble playing.

All students should have:

• Basic understanding of major, minor, and dominant harmony

• Ability to read and interpret lead sheets

• Experience improvising over simple forms (e.g., blues, ii–V–I progressions)

• Consistent time feel and ability to follow ensemble direction

Rhythm Section Requirements

These guidelines help ensure balanced ensemble placement.

Drummers should be able to:

• Maintain steady swing and straight-eighth grooves

• Play basic jazz ride cymbal patterns

• Support soloists dynamically and respond to ensemble cues

Bassists should be able to:

• Play walking bass lines in common keys

• Outline chord changes clearly

• Maintain consistent time and form

Pianists and guitarists should be able to:

• Comp using basic jazz voicings (shells or simple 3–4 note voicings)

• Interpret chord symbols fluently

• Support soloists while listening and adjusting dynamically

Important Notes

• All ensembles culminate in a live, free performance.

• Please confirm you can attend the performance date before registering.

• A placement audition is required for new students.

How to Register

Please complete the online Ensemble Application Form below. Once we’ve received your application and, for new students, your audition recording, we’ll review your information and contact you to confirm placement. Once your placement is confirmed, we’ll send you a link to submit tuition payment. No payment is required until placement is confirmed.

Application form and audition guidelines:
Jazzschool Ensemble Application Form and Audition Guidelines

About Kasey Knudsen

Kasey Knudsen is a San Francisco–based saxophonist, composer, and educator. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, she has been described as “one of the region’s most esteemed saxophonists” (San Francisco Classical Voice) and “one of the essential voices in the Bay Area jazz scene” (East Bay Express). She has appeared in Paste Magazine’s “10 Female Instrumentalists Who Redefine Jazz” and on CBS’s “Best Female Jazz Musicians in the East Bay.”

Knudsen leads several of her own groups and co-leads ensembles including the Schimscheimer Family Trio, the Holly Martins, and the Klaxon Mutant Allstars. Her collaborations include Tune-Yards, Fred Frith, Charlie Hunter, Erik Jekabson, and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra.

As an educator, she emphasizes improvisation through harmony, transcription, tone production, phrasing, and ear training. She teaches at the Jazzschool and has served as a guest clinician at festivals and schools throughout California.

About Eli Maliwan

Eli Maliwan is a transgender Asian-American performing musician, composer, educator, and activist, born and raised in the Bay Area. He performs, records, and tours with multiple local projects, including his own, Saxreligious.

He studied music full time in lieu of traditional high school and received a Bachelor of Music from Portland State University, where he was deeply influenced by the mentorship of Darrell Grant. He continued his studies with a Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts.

Although his obsession with saxophone is 28 years strong, Eli is a multi-instrumentalist who also performs on flute, clarinet, EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), piano, electric bass, and voice. He has performed with Jimmy Heath, Steve Turre, James Moody, Slide Hampton, and Alphonso Johnson, and at festivals including Überjazz in Hamburg, SFJAZZ, San Jose Jazz Fest, Noise Pop Festival, BRIC Jazz Festival, Winter Jazzfest, Portland Jazz Festival, and the Waterfront Blues Festival. He also performed several dates with the Salami Rose Joe Louis Quartet opening for Flying Lotus on his 2019 national tour.