Grantee Database
Oaktown Jazz Workshops
Grant Year
2026-27
Grant Program
Arts and Youth
Award Amount
$17,500.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, Oaktown Jazz Workshops will provide under-resourced youth with high-quality, year-round instruction in the uniquely American tradition of jazz music.
Our year-round classes, one-on-one lessons, ensembles, and workshops will be taught by diverse professional musicians and youth mentors who will provide a safe, supportive environment for youth (age 10-18) to develop their creativity, discipline, musical skills, and confidence to perform. Students will also receive extensive performance opportunities throughout the year.
For students who are aging out of our programs, we will provide comprehensive college and career guidance that helps close opportunity gaps between under-resourced youth and youth from more affluent families. We will also provide performance opportunities for alumni at our concert space, helping young adult musicians gain professional experience and advance their careers.
Organization Summary
Oaktown Jazz Workshops offer intensive instructional workshops and classes for young musicians, ages 10-18 at our Oakland venue located in historic Jack London Square. Our programs include:
Combo Workshops (Ages 12 – 18): weekly 2-hour workshops in which young musicians learn to improvise instrumental solos while playing different types of jazz and blues tunes in a full band setting, with guidance from our faculty of professional musicians.
Performance Ensemble Workshop (Ages 14-18): weekly 2-hour workshops in which young musicians improve their musicianship, develop their personal voices, and challenge themselves musically in a band setting.
Jazz Improvisation Workshop (Ages 10-14): a 10-week course offered every fall and spring that focuses on Ensemble Playing, Ear Training, Melodic Phrasing and Harmonic Forms.
Music Theory Workshop (Ages 14-18): a 10-week course offered every fall and spring that focuses on Modes, Chord Analysis, Ear Training, and Composition.
Jazz Encounters (Ages 10-18): special clinics in which young musicians meet and learn from world-class touring musicians.
One-on-One Private Music Lessons: Oaktown Jazz Workshops offers private lessons from professional musicians.
Jazz in the Schools (Ages 10-18): Oaktown Jazz Workshops presents concerts and presentations at local public schools, and our instructors lead sectionals to foster the artistic growth of young musicians.
Oaktown Jazz in the Library: Our instructors, Youth Mentors, and students bring multi-generational concerts to public libraries, mixed with presentations on jazz history, influence, and elements.
Community Performances (Ages 14-18): Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ young musicians perform dozens of concerts, festivals, and community events in Oakland and surrounding communities every year. Special emphasis on bringing performance to underserved communities that lack access to live music.
Organization
Oaktown Jazz Workshops
Address
55 Washington Street
OAKLAND
94607
County
Alameda
Region
Bay Area – Other
Website
Congressional District
California's 12th Congressional District
State Assembly District
Assembly District 18
State Senate District
State Senate District 7
