We have a beginning jazz class at 6:30 p.m., then a featured jazz act at 7:30 p.m., followed by an open jazz jam session at 8:30 until 10 p.m.

And the best part about it, besides the great jazz, is it’s FREE!!!!

Please come join us! The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop: “Hear it! Learn it! Play it! It’s all about the music!”

It’s hard to believe, but, this Wednesday, September 19, 2012, the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop will be celebrating its 6th Anniversary! We hope you all can join us this week as we’ll be presenting another of our FREE clinic/concerts for your enjoyment. We are especially proud to present the Aram Shelton Quartet.

Led by Aram Shelton, an avant jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, improviser, and composer, the Oakland, CA, based group will be stopping in Bakersfield just prior to performing at the famed Monterey Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 22. The performances are part of a short California tour to promote the group’s most recent album release, Everything for Somebody.

Shelton is originally from Florida but spent several years in Chicago honing his sound. He currently is involved with several different bands in both cities, and has also appeared across the nation and internationally, including trips to New York City, Berlin, Krakow, and Montreal, among others. He has also appeared with Lisa Mezzacappa, who gave a well-received clinic/concert at the BJW last year.

The clinic starts at about 7 PM, with a performance from roughly 8 – 9 PM, and a jam session with members of the band and local musicians afterward. (Note: there will be no Beginning Jazz Improv class this week.)

Hope to see you there and don’t forget, the BJW is a GREAT place to make tax-deductible donations to what we hope is one of your favorite not-for-profit charities (the BJW)!

For more info and links: Bakersfield Examiner: Aram Shelton

The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop is proud to announce that its next Free clinic/concert will be held on June 13, with internationally known jazz pianist Haakon Graf as our clinician.

The BJW Staff

BJW CEO Steve Eisen, Jacques Lesure, 2011 Lary Totten co-winner, Chris Nguyen, BJW Board members Fred Sanchez, Frank Maccioli, & Mark Hall

• Scholarship – Graduating High School Senior moving on to College/Summer Jazz Camps – Seniors only
• BJW Discretionary Award – Junior Grade Levels/College Students/Educational Purposes (instruction)
• Lary Totten Memorial – For those youth exemplifying passionate pursuit of musical education and professionalism

Be sure to get your applications completed and turned in on time – last year we had a couple of kids who missed out on a great opportunity simply because they didn’t meet the deadline.

Click on the following links for more information:

2012 Scholarship/Award general Info

2012 Scholarship Award application form

Los Angeles based drummer Dean has been a mainstay in the jazz world for years and will be making his much anticipated return appearance to the BJW. And for all of you Workshop regulars, Donald is the grandfather of the BJW’s own wunderkind, 13 yr. old  pianist Jamael Dana Dean.

As with all of our clinics, there will be an opportunity for some to join Donald’s band in a jam session during the final set. Please sign up at our front desk if you’d like to participate.

This should be a fantastic evening of jazz – please get there early to get a good seat. (Note: There will be no Beginning Jazz Improv class this week.)

Donald Dean

The format for the workshop this week is:

7:00 – 8:00 PM: Clinic

8:15 – 9:00 PM: First Set

9:15 – 10 PM: Second set with limited Jazz Jam Session

Dr. Michael Millar, Executive Director of the Arts Council, said that the award was given based upon the following factors:

• the BJW’s mission, history, and projects that have been completed
• project description
• goals and objectives of the project
• community engagement
• publicity/promotion

The Arts Council’s recognition of our efforts in this manner will help us complete our mission to support jazz education, appreciation, and performance in the Bakersfield and Kern County area. We’d like to give a special thanks also to all of our fans and supporters who have helped us and will continue to help us succeed!

We’re starting the series off with the legendary and very talented gospel, R&B, and jazz singer Thelma Jones. She’ll will be appearing at the BJW on Weds., Feb. 22, at 7:30 PM.

Backed by a band of local BJW musicians led by pianist Terry Cano, this FREE event is the first of several clinics/concerts to be presented by the BJW this year.

The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop Big Band (beg.) wants you!

We’re changing the format of our Beginning Jazz Improv class. Entirely free of charge and open to ALL ages, the goal of the class will be to offer and promote a structured sense on improv education within a jazz ensemble (big band) setting. We’ll be teaching the importance of style, technique, and blend from the Masters such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Glen Miller.

This is a great opportunity for music students and musicians to learn, improve, and play jazz in a group setting before a live audience.

Led by our CEO, Steve Eisen, who has years of experience teaching and leading jazz ensembles, the class is open to all ages. All we ask is that you can meet the basic requirements of being able to play your instrument, with basic fundamental technique and knowledge.

We’re looking for people who can play:

Trumpets

Trombones

Alto sax

Tenor sax

Baritone sax

Piano

Bass Guitar

Guitar

Drums

*piano,drums, bass amp, and guitar amp will be furnished. Please bring a music stand if you have one.

*In order to participate, we expect each instrumentalist to have fundamental skills in the following areas:

1.  All 12 major scales (memorization not required)

2. The chromatic scale 2 octaves (memorization not required)

3. Be proficient in basic sight reading

4. Good sound and intonation

The new class will take place every Wednesday, beginning January 11, 2012, from 6:30 – 7:30pm.

It will be held as usual in the main dining room of Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, Bakersfield CA. 93309

Please call Steve Eisen at 661-444-0853 for more information or if you have any questions.

Also, if you previously asked us to remove you from our mailing list, but, you still are getting them it’s because we are using an archived list right now. Please send us another email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the message area and we’ll take care of it for you.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

The BJW Staff