Notes from the Classroom (and Beyond)
Progressions Director Julie Rinard periodically shares her student interactions with us, as part of the San Jose Jazz blog. In this update, she summarizes the vision behind Progressions, and shares the...
View ArticleProgressions Begins the 2014/15 School Year
At the close of the Progressions 2014 summer session, the band kids were asked to return their instruments for cleaning and repair. Most did so with a sense of reluctance. Some were mysteriously absent...
View ArticleDr. Aaron Lington interviewed on The Kamla Show
Dr. Aaron Lington never set a life goal to win a Grammy® Award. The San Jose Jazz High School All Stars Director and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at San Jose State University simply focuses on immersing...
View ArticleSpring 2015: What’s On Deck for Progressions
Progressions students and staff been hard at work these past few months. The fall semester culminated with a full house Nucleo performance on Saturday, December 6 at Santee Elementary School featuring...
View Article(Winter) Fest Five: Dandiggity
A cultural connoisseur and proud San Jose native, Danny “Dandiggity” Le is a constant collaborator in the art scene here at home and abroad. He is a curator of ideas, a poet, and has been dubbed “The...
View Article(Winter) Fest Five: Ross McMahon
Though he’s a newcomer to SJZ’s Board, Ross McMahon has always been involved in the arts, first as an Irish step dancer and later as an ice skater, competing in both disciplines at the national level....
View Article(Winter) Fest Five: Sam Ramirez
Born and raised in San Jose, Bar Owner/Operator Sam Ramirez is known for his entertainment expertise spanning over a decade and his work and efforts with some of the most successful nightlife and live...
View Article(Winter) Fest Five: Amy Anderson
You can catch Amy Anderson soaking up live music three or more nights a week–supporting local musicians and the scene is one of her main passions. Amy has been actively working to enliven downtown San...
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Progressions: March 2015 Update
Progressions has been busy this past month! Our Intermediate Band recently had a double coming-out party, so to speak, and this past Saturday Progressions students got to watch renowned pianist...
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Summer Jazz Camp: I Discovered the Possibilites
Four years ago, when I attended the 2011 San Jose Jazz Summer Camp at Archbishop Mitty High School, I was one of the few guitarists at camp who knew the major and natural minor scales; accordingly, I...
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Holiday Season for the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars
Photo by Grason Littles In this guest post, San Jose Jazz High School All Stars Manager Scott Fulton announces the students’ holiday concert performances and program highlights. It’s a busy and...
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Progressions 2.0 – Celebrating Our Students’ Growth at a Concert on Saturday,...
Progressions Director Julie Rinard shares an invitation to the holiday Nucleo performance plus an update on the program’s expansion. As we enter this season of gratitude, we hope you will join us this...
View ArticleFirst Glance: Kaiser Permanente San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 16 presented by Metro
Kaiser Permanente San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 16 presented by Metro is just six weeks away! This year’s compact concert series presents more live music than ever before, featuring some of the...
View ArticleDid You Say Free? A Rundown of SJZ Winter Fest Community Events
Kaiser Permanente San Jose Jazz Winter Fest presented by Metro isn’t just an opportunity to see world-class jazz talent converge on the South Bay. It’s also a great chance for SJZ to shine a spotlight...
View ArticleThe Shape of Jazz to Come: Next Gen Performances at SJZ Winter Fest 16
This year, as part of our dedication to featuring great student groups alongside world-class jazz talents at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Jazz Winter Fest presented by Metro, we will be bringing our Next...
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Stepping into Spring with SJZ Progressions
This is the time of year when things really start to get good with San Jose Jazz Progressions – students have been playing their instrument for nearly seven months straight, they know and trust their...
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Returning Home: A Conversation with Donny McCaslin
Though saxophonist Donny McCaslin made his name in the jazz world after moving to New York, he still has fond memories of growing up in the greater Santa Cruz area, where he cultivated his musical...
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In Memoriam: Summer Fest Volunteers Bob Gardner & Ray Winans
Bob Gardner (right) pictured alongside fellow Summer Fest volunteer Steve Pollock. This is a guest post from SJZ’s Artistic Director Bruce Labadie, who was familiar with the contributions both Bob...
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Field Trip: SJZ Progressions Students Visit SF Symphony Youth Orchestra
This guest post from Progressions Director Julie Rinard recaps the field trip Progressions students recently took to see an open dress rehearsal by the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. Thanks to...
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Interview with Summer Jazz Camp Special Guest Taylor Eigsti
This year, SJZ Summer Jazz Camp welcomes Bay Area native Taylor Eigsti as its special guest. Before his appearance on June 29 and 30, we spoke with the New York-based pianist by phone to learn why he...
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