Friends of the Jazzschool,
As the holidays approach and 2025 draws to a close, we at the Jazzschool find ourselves reflecting on an extraordinary year of music-making, community-building, and opening doors for the next generation of jazz artists. We send our heartfelt thanks to you for the generous part you’ve played in helping us continue this vital work.
This has been a year of meaningful growth and impact. We’ve expanded our reach into local schools, filled our ensemble workshops with eager students, and watched our community of musicians—from absolute beginners to seasoned professionals—thrive together. All of us at the Jazzschool are energized by the opportunity to continue what makes us truly unique: providing world-class music education to students of all ages and abilities, taught by working musicians in a welcoming, collaborative environment.
I’m pleased to share some of our accomplishments in 2025—initiatives that will strengthen jazz education in the Bay Area for years to come:
■ Launching Jazzschool in the Schools — Our new outreach program brought free clinics and workshops to Bay Area middle and high schools, introducing hundreds of students to jazz, and planting seeds for the next generation of players and listeners.
■ Expanding our signature ensembles— These unique programs continue to be the heart of what we do, bringing musicians together to learn, collaborate, and perform in ways you simply can’t find anywhere else.
■ Serving nearly 2,000 students this year — From weekly classes to intensive workshops, we’ve created pathways for aspiring professionals and passionate hobbyists alike to learn directly from accomplished jazz artists.
■ Providing tuition assistance and scholarships — We’ve ensured that finances never stand between talent and opportunity, keeping our programs accessible to all who share our love of jazz.
The Jazzschool is the Bay Area’s leading hub for community jazz education—a place where students of all ages and backgrounds come together to study, perform, and celebrate this treasured American art form. What makes us special is our commitment to learning from working musicians in ensemble settings that build both musical skills and lasting community connections.
But jazz stands at a crossroads. School music programs are shrinking nationwide, and private instruction remains out of reach for many families. At the same time, we’re seeing tremendous demand—students hungry to explore jazz in ways their schools alone can’t offer. Our ensembles are full, and our outreach clinics are opening doors for young people who never imagined jazz could be their story.
Your annual support is instrumental in the Jazzschool’s ability to continue offering—and expanding—world-class community jazz education taught by renowned educators and professional musicians. Your partnership ensures we can continue serving our community and nurturing the next generation of jazz musicians and enthusiasts.
The Jazzschool wouldn’t have reached nearly three decades of impact without your continued involvement and support. I invite you, once again, to play a part in empowering us to keep this vital tradition alive and thriving.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Gordon C. Brooks, Board Chair
