The Studio Band is the Jazzschool’s premier youth big band, designed for advanced high school musicians ready to perform challenging repertoire at a high level. Students develop advanced ensemble skills, stylistic fluency, section playing, sight-reading, and improvisation while studying both classic and contemporary big band literature.

In addition to weekly rehearsals, the ensemble performs regularly throughout the year, records in a professional studio, and participates in regional and national jazz festivals and competitions. The Studio Band has performed at leading jazz clubs and festivals throughout California and across the United States, as well as internationally at the Vienne Jazz Festival in France and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

Admission is by audition. Auditions are held annually prior to the start of the school year.

Commitment

Students accepted into the Studio Band commit to participating for the full school year. Tuition is charged by term.

Instrumentation

• Five saxophones

• Five trumpets

• Five trombones

• Guitar

• Piano

• Bass

• Drums

Mondays 6:30–8 pm
9/21–11/30
No class 11/23
Dave Eshelman, $375
(in-person)

Application & Audition Information

For audition guidelines and to submit an application, visit:
Young Ensembles Application & Audition Information

About Dave Eshelman

Composer, arranger, trombonist, educator, and bandleader Dave Eshelman’s teaching career spanned 35 years at Los Angeles City College, San Jose City College, and California State University, East Bay.

He was named CSUEB Outstanding Professor, received the Swain University Educator Award from CMEA, was presented with the San Jose Jazz Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the CAJ Hall of Fame.

Dave has conducted the California CMEA All-State Jazz Band, the Northern California GRAMMY in the Schools All-Star Big Band, the NorCal Honor Jazz Band, and numerous district and county honor jazz bands.

He has recorded and produced five albums as leader and composer of the Jazz Garden Big Band, now in its 49th year. His quartet recording features John Abercrombie on guitar, John Patitucci on bass, and Peter Erskine on drums.

Dave directs the Jazzschool Studio Band in Berkeley and teaches each summer at the Hayward-La Honda Music Camp.