The Jazzschool offers weekly ensembles for beginning, intermediate, and advanced instrumentalists and vocalists, covering a wide range of styles to suit your musical preferences.
Our ensembles perform in the Jazzschool Student Performance Series at the end of each quarter, which is free and open to the public. So invite your friends, family, and anyone else who loves great music to come and see you shine!
You’ll need to go through a placement audition but don’t worry; it’s just a formality to make sure you’re placed in the right ensemble for your skill level. Just follow the audition requirements and application instructions, and you’ll be on your way!
Adult Programs are for age 18 and up. More info about Jazzschool Ensembles here. You may use the filters below to refine your search.
2 Sections
Beginning Jazz Ensemble
Put theory into practice by learning jazz standards while developing improvisation and ensemble skills.
5 Sections
Piano Trio
Develop performance skills in the piano, bass, and drums trio format.
4 Sections
Jazz Standards for Gigs
Develop the skills and repertoire needed for typical jazz gigs through the study and performance of common jazz styles, including swing, bossa nova, jazz waltz, and ballads.
3 Sections
Music of the Masters
Dig into the music of John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, and other jazz masters.
Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm 1/11 – 3/15 (10 weeks) Performance Date: 3/22
Jazz Fusion Ensemble – The Music of Frank Martin
Each quarter, Frank Martin’s Jazz Fusion Ensemble focuses on the compositions of a specific composer/bandleader (John Scofield, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers, and many more.) This quarter we focus on Frank’s own compositions, drawing inspiration from all of the other artists covered in the ensemble and more! Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm 1/11 – 3/15 […]
Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm 1/12 – 3/16 (10 weeks) Performance Date: 3/23
Hard Bop Ensemble
Study and perform music melding bebop with R&B, gospel, and the blues as developed by mid-century masters including Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Jimmy Smith, and others.
Mondays 6:30 – 8 pm 1/9 – 3/20 (10 weeks) No class 1/16 Performance Date: 3/27
Jazz Ensemble – The Music of Thelonious Monk
An ensemble focused on the compositions of the great pianist/composer Thelonious Monk, many of which have come to be considered jazz standards.
Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm 1/9 – 3/20 (10 weeks) No class 1/16 Performance Date: 3/27
Jazz Ensemble – The Music of John Coltrane
An ensemble for experienced players focusing on the music of John Coltrane, with repertoire drawn from all periods of Coltrane’s career.
Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm 1/12 – 3/16 (10 weeks) Performance Date: 3/23
Chicago Visionaries: Let’s Play the Music of the AACM
This ensemble, led by bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa, will focus on performing, arranging and improvising on music by members of Chicago’s visionary and influential Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians – the AACM.
Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm 1/12 – 3/16 (10 weeks) Performance Date: 3/23
Creative Jazz Ensemble: The Music of Carla Bley
This quarter, the ensemble (sometimes called the Free Jazz Ensemble) explores the raucous, cinematic, quirky, moody, grooving music of brilliant composer, arranger, and pianist Carla Bley.