Jazz Education
Sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, Rebecca Fitch - Music Director at Sonoma Valley High School welcomed a Jazz Quartet to her morning class on April 8, 2019. The quartet comprised:
2018 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Fernanda is a 14 year old singer from Sonoma Valley.
Fernanda has been a guest of SVJS at some jazz concerts where we featured women singers. She also performed with the Brian Nova Trio at our 2018 Members and Sponsors Party.
She loves to sing, has sung the National Anthem at several big valley events including the opening of the NASCAR races at Sonoma Raceway. She just entered Sonoma Valley High school and loves to play basketball. She is a student of well known singer Sheila Whitney.
2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society awarded alto saxophonist Gio Mendez a $500 scholarship at our annual member and sponsors party in December. As part of the Jazz in the Neighborhood emerging artist program, Gio has had the opportunity to perform with local professional jazz artists. He won 1st place in the Healdsburg Student Jazz Competition at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival and performed with the Big House Quintet. Gio is continuing his studies at Sonoma State University where he plays with their big band and with the Jackie McLean combo.
SVJS supports
JAZZ in the Schools
On Tuesday, December 13th, 2016 the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society sponsored Bryan Girard - Saxophone, Randy Vincent - Guitar and Tim Campbell - keyboards for a performance for 5th grade beginning band students at Flowery Elementary School in Sonoma. Using “Autumn Leaves” as an example, Bryan explained the elements of jazz being comprised of Melody & Harmony (what is written) and Improvisation (what is not written). The attentive and appreciative audience asked questions between songs and it is our hope the students will find inspiration to pursue their music education beyond the classroom.
On, Friday, May 1, 2015 the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society sponsored a jazz clinic for high school students at the invitation of Casey Jones the SVHS musical director. Jeff Massanari is not only an amazing guitarist but also a great music teacher. Jeff is comfortable playing everything from jazz to rock. He teaches at numerous schools in the bay area. The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society is happy to fund this great experience for our future musicians.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jeff Massanari, a first call guitarist is versed in numerous styles, and has played thousands of gigs at venues like Yoshis, Davies Symphony Hall, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy , and countless local clubs and festivals.
Jeff attended Berklee college of Music and currently teaches at UC Berkeley, the California Jazz Conservatory and at his studio in Oakland. He also teaches 6 hours a week at Redwood high school and is as interested in passing on the love of music to young players and with helping serious students prepare for careers in music. Jeff also teaches 2 or 3 workshops a semester at the Jazz conservatory in Berkeley.
2014 Jazz Clinic with Adam Theis
On Friday, November 14th, the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society sponsored a jazz clinic at Sonoma Valley High School on the invitation of Casey Jones, the musical director at the school. The Jazz Mafia Trio comprised of multi-instrumentalist Adam Theis - drummer Mitchell Wilcox and keyboardist Colin Hogan were invited to share insights into jazz performance and appreciation with the students.
Adam’s easy rapport and connection with the students resulted in an informative musical experience. Inbetween performances of original tunes, Adam’s arrangement of “Walking on The Moon” and modern contemporary jazz, the students were encouraged to relate their musical aspirations and given tips on pursuing music as a creative part of their lives and performing in the future. They were told to “Be Versatile”, “Listen to lots of Music” and “Follow your Inner Voice”.
The afternoon ended with the Trio, Casey Jones and the students jamming to “Watermelon Man”.
The board members of the Jazz Society in attendance - myself, Ann Hollister, Vic Conforti and Tony Pisacane were very impressed with the clinic and we will strive to continue to present more clinics for the youth in Sonoma.
…Lina Perlas/President - Sonoma Valley Jazz Society
SONOMA VALLEY JAZZ SOCIETY supports the art of jazz in the Sonoma Valley through events, education and community outreach, in collaboration with arts organizations throughout the Bay Area. SVJS endeavors to lead the way, making jazz more widely available up and down the Sonoma Valley, cultivating audiences, and encouraging participation in this exciting art form. We believe the performing arts are an essential ingredient in the quality of life in our community, and jazz music, with its rich heritage and continued evolution, deserves an important place in the local performing arts scene. As a not-for-profit (501c3), the SVJS exists for the good of the community, and is committed to the highest standards of professionalism, scholarship, collaboration, inclusiveness, and enjoyment.Your participation is not only welcomed, it is encouraged. Become a member of the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, attend our events, and support jazz.SVJS memberships begin at $40 ($20 for students). Please visit http://www.sonomavalleyjazzsociety.org/ for details.
2014 Jazz Clinic with Adam Theis
Teacher Casey Jones on sax with Adam