The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, sustaining itself through the generous donations of local residents and businesses. Our dedicated board comprises entirely of volunteers. Over the past 35 years, we have consistently delivered exceptional Jazz performances in the Sonoma Valley. Each year, we provide scholarships to talented local jazz students. Notably, we've recently initiated a collaboration with Sonoma State University (SSU), renowned for its outstanding Jazz Program. The selection of two students was guided by the recommendations of the faculty, acknowledging their exceptional dedication to their respective instruments. We aspire to nurture and expand this partnership with SSU on an annual basis.

This year we gave out two more scholarships to Louis Sheppard, trumpeter, and Luke Gibson, guitarist.

Luke Gibson is a guitar player and composer born and raised in San Luis Obispo, California. Starting guitar at age 10, he grew up taking lessons from AJ Braman and Gary Drysdale in styles of rock music. He slowly became familiar with jazz harmony while attending San Luis Obispo High School. He then studied jazz guitar with LA based guitarist Jeff Miley while attending Cuesta College under Ron McCarley’s jazz curriculum. He holds associates degrees from Cuesta College in Jazz Studies, Music Performance, and Liberal Arts, and has a certificate in Audio Technology. After Cuesta, he took a few years off of school to work full time. He is now pursuing a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from Sonoma State University under the direction of Douglas Leibinger and guitarist Randy Vincent.

Louis Sheppard has been playing music for 17 years altogether, with ten years of experience as trumpeter. Sheppard began his adventure with classical lessons on the saxophone in elementary school. Music made an indelible mark on Sheppard’s life. Sheppard began to pursue other instruments including the piano, guitar, bass , euphonium, flute and last but not least the Trumpet. 

 Sheppard's passion for educating others about Black Classical Improvisational music sprouts from his pride of Black history and the role Black people have had to shape our nation’s music. Sheppard believes that jazz music can be a positive outlet for all communities, especially the African American community. Sheppard feels a great duty to learn as much music history as he possibly can so that the younger generations have a clear understanding of the genius that lies dormant in many individuals. 

Sheppard’s education journey started in Stockton CA at San Joaquin delta college under the study of Brian Kendrick PH.D. Sheppard then transferred to Los Medonoes College under the Study under Silvester Henderson. Most recently, attending Sonoma State University under the study of trumpet sensation Ian Carey and director of Jazz Studies Doug Leibinger PhD.  Sheppard is pursuing a degree in education. Eventually, Sheppard hopes to inspire the next generation through teaching music and reaching children in need of opportunities mentorship

In 2023 we gave out two scholarships; one to Saxophonist Estella Zea and Pianist Jomei Greer.

My name is Jomei Greer and I am a senior at SSU pursuing my Bachelors degree in Jazz studies. I am from Southern California and I have been playing the piano classically since I was 5yo, my formal jazz training beginning about 6 years ago. After I get my degree I hope to get out to New York to potentially get my Masters.

Estella Zea is a 19-year-old tenor saxophonist and composer based in the Bay Area. She has been playing saxophone since she was 9 and has found a love for big band arranging and transcription. She graduated from Marin School of the Arts in 2022 and is currently working towards her B.M. in Jazz Studies at Sonoma State University.

Lukr Gibson

How the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society gives back!

  • Present a variety of international, regional, and local jazz artists in live performance.

  • Produce four free jazz concerts in the Sonoma Plaza.

  • Present Latin Jazz annually to promote our Latin community.

  • Assisted local jazz artists with grants during COVID.

  • Provide scholarships for continuing jazz studies at the high school or college level.

  • Provide jazz clinics for local high school jazz band.

  • Support local jazz musicians with gigs, grants, and promotional assistance.

  • Collaborate with other arts organizations in Napa Valley and the Greater Bay Area.

Want to make a donation to the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society?

Donations Giving Tuesday — Sonoma Valley Jazz Society

Fernando received a jazz scholarship and used it for vocal lessons.

Scholarship recepient Gio Mendez used his scholarship for improving his saxophone skills. Here he is with saxophonist Noel Jewkes

Flowery Grade School listens to jazz performance by Saxophonist Brian Girard, Bassist Tim Campbell and Guitarist Randy Vincent

Composter & trombonist Adam Theis (Jazz Mafia) teaches a master jazz class at Sonoma High.

Worked with fellow jazz society - Napa Valley Jazz Society to give grants to local Sonoma jazz musicans during COVID with the JAZZ ARTIST RELIEF FUND.

Sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society,  Rebecca Fitch - Music Director at Sooma Valley High School welcomed Jazz Musicians Kendrick Freeman - Drums, Steve Rubardt - Piano, Andrew Emer - Bass,  Gio Mendes - Saxophone (Sonoma Valley Jazz Society scholarship recipient) to her morning class. The group performed and presented elements of jazz performance, jazz repertoire, blues forms & song structure, harmony and rhythmic variances. The class played through Herbie Hancock’s " Watermelon Man” and students improvised over the tune.

Hi Janice,
First of I want to extend a big thank you on behalf of the students, I think students took away quite a lot from this experience and they were very grateful to have the opportunity to be able to talk, listen, and jam with a pro musician.  I think the students who weren't musicians or had little experience in music also gained some wisdom from the experience and had the chance to experience.  Overall I think it was a big success and a step-up for the music program, thank you for all of your help in coordinating this session.  I am really looking forward (as well as the students) to the next opportunity to do this again. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Casey Jones

Sonoma Valely High School

Dick Conte Jazz Piano Scholarship

Another great organization we have donated to - The California Jazz Conservatory