The Jazzschool

09/03/2026

Instrumental classes are open for fall!

Build skills that stick: stronger technique, better ears, more confidence improvising, and a regular reason to practice.

This season includes piano & keyboards, guitar, drums & percussion, theory, improvisation, musicianship, charanga, and more — with options for adults and young musicians.

Classes begin the week of September 21.

Browse Instrumental Classes → jazzschool.org

09/03/2026

We love seeing the Jazzschool through Andrew Gilbert’s eyes.

Thank you, Andrew, for this wonderful piece in East Bay Magazine, and for your tireless work shining a light on the musicians, artists, and spaces that make the Bay Area music community so special.

The article captures something we’ve been feeling every day: the Jazzschool is buzzing. Classes and rehearsals, concerts and jam sessions, Brown Bag Jazz Hangs, movie nights, listening parties—and plenty of reasons to simply come by, hear some music, and connect with other people who love it.

As Lisa Mezzacappa puts it, the goal is for the Jazzschool to feel like a true community center—a place to “reach out, partner, invite, welcome.” - East Bay Magazine

Haven’t been downstairs to see us in a while? Come on down!

Saturday, September 12: Jazzschool Fall Open House

We’ll be going all day and into the evening, with a jam session, faculty presentations, previews of fall classes and workshops, live music, and great raffle prizes!

Come see what’s happening, and be part of it.

Thank you, Andrew Gilbert and East Bay Magazine, for telling this story.

Read the full article: eastbaymag.com/lisa-mezzacappa-transforms-the-jazzschool-into-a-community-hub

Lisa Mezzacappa transforms the Jazzschool into a community hub: Berkeley musician brings new energy and programming to the Jazzschool.

09/01/2026

9/12 from 1-6:30pm: Save the Date! Fall Open House

8/29-9/7: SCHOOL CLOSED

https://concerts.jazzschool.org/

08/27/2026

Fall ensembles are open!

Join a group, build your sound, and get better at what only happens in a band: listening, blending, soloing, and keeping the music moving.

Options for adults and young musicians begin Sept. 21.

Adult: jazzschool.org/community-programs/adult-ensembles
Youth: jazzschool.org/community-programs/young-ensembles

08/25/2026

Concerts and events this week at the Jazzschool!

8/26 at 12:30pm: FREE! Brown Bag Jazz Hangs: Lisa Mezzacappa on the Art Ensemble of Chicago

8/26 from 7-10pm: Jazz Jams at Jupiter

8/29-9/7: SCHOOL CLOSED

9/12 from 1-6:30pm: SAVE THE DATE! Jazzschool Fall Open House

concerts.jazzschool.org

08/25/2026

TONIGHT! 8-10:30pm - The Jazzschool is hosting Mark Clifford’s (Mark Pascucci-Clifford) 4th Tuesday Standards Hang - an open jam session that recently lost its venue. All are welcome to sit in!

08/23/2026

Fall is a great time to get back to playing.

Whether you’re picking up your instrument again, ready to play with others, or looking for a new musical challenge, there’s a place for you at The Jazzschool this fall.

Explore classes, ensembles, workshops, concerts, and more—and find your next reason to make music.

🍂 See what’s happening this fall at the Jazzschool.

See Bio Link to Explore Fall Programs or see Jazzschool.org/community-programs

08/19/2026

Fantastic Negrito. Tony! Toni! Toné!. Dr. Dre. Nas. Busta Rhymes. 50 Cent.

There’s a musician connecting some pretty different corners of that list: Oakland organist LJ Holoman. 🎹

This clip catches LJ on the Hammond B3 performing with fellow Bay Area artist Fantastic Negrito.

Rooted in Oakland’s gospel tradition, LJ has spent his career moving between gospel, soul, R&B, hip-hop, blues—and jazz.

This Saturday, Howard Wiley’s August concert series brings LJ and his own trio to the Jazzschool, with the Hammond B3 at the center of it all.

If those names caught your attention, come hear another side of the musician behind them.

LJ Holoman Trio
Lionel (L.j) Holoman — Hammond B3
Elijah Green III — bass
Qyu Jackson — drums

Saturday, August 22 8pm | Doors 7pm | Pre-Concert Talk 7:30pm

The Jazzschool | Berkeley
🎟️ Reserve your seats → concerts.jazzschool.org/lj-holoman-trio/

08/19/2026

Workshops coming up this week at the Jazzschool!

8/23: ONLINE – Digging Deep: The Piano Artistry of Dr. John with Jennifer Jolly

8/23: The Sound of Choro: Rhythm, Improvisation, and Brazilian Identity with Ami Molinelli and Special Guests Roberta Valente and Alexandre Ribeiro

8/29-9/7: SCHOOL CLOSED

https://jazzschool.org/community-programs/workshops/

08/18/2026

Concerts and events this week at the Jazzschool!

8/19: FREE! Brown Bag Jazz Hangs: Marcus Stephens on Electr(on)ic Jazz

8/19: Jazz Jams at Jupiter ()

08/21: FINAL After Hours Vinyl Lounge of the Summer!

08/22: LJ Holoman Trio

8/23: Vocal Open Mic

8/29-9/7: SCHOOL CLOSED

https://concerts.jazzschool.org/