A student combo from the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, coached by pianist Matt Clark, kicks off the evening with a set at 6pm, followed at 7pm by a student-friendly jam session.

CJC Combo:
Richard Benitez, trumpet
Will Shannon, trombone
Sean Chen, guitar
Jonny Kaminek, bass
Sheldon Alexander, drums

Session Trio:
Akira Tana, drums
David Udolf, piano
Chris Amberger, bass

No cover charge for students
$10-20 cover charge requested from the audience. Donate what you can.

The California Jazz Conservatory, founded in 2009 to incorporate Berkeley’s famous Jazzschool, is the only private music conservatory in the United States solely devoted to jazz and related styles of music, offering degrees in jazz studies at the masters, bachelors and associate levels. Jazzschool, a community jazz education institution, was established in 1997 and continues within the CJC, a nationally accredited institution of higher learning. For 25 years, Jazzschool/CJC has given aspiring musicians a path to deep knowledge of the art and the tools they need to achieve a life in jazz, whether as a full fledged professional or an impassioned amateur. 

About the series: The first Sunday of each month, Bird & Beckett is pleased to host a jazz combo comprising students from a local college or high school opening the program, followed by a student jam session led by a professional trio. Co-produced and underwritten by Jazz in the Neighborhood and Bird & Beckett, the students in the combos receive a small stipend and the professional musicians receive a guaranteed fair wage.

This year, we’ve opened the series up to the many schools all around the Bay Area that have solid jazz education programs. This evening, we’ll present an ensemble from the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley.

All young (or youngish) students aspiring to a career in jazz — including those who are learning on the bandstands and public squares — are encouraged to turn out for the jam session that concludes each outing. No advance sign up required, but feel free to call the shop for information — 415-586-3733. Ask for Eric.

Educators! Call us if you want to bring a combo to our stage! We’re all ears here.

Patrons of the arts & philanthropists! Each of these sessions costs Jazz in the Neighborhood and Bird & Beckett about a thousand dollars to produce. You can help us meet those costs and serve the yearnings of the youth for a future in which jazz is more than just a dream of lost opportunity. Give us a call and lend your support!

Can’t make it to the store? Catch the live stream on our

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