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jameson@thejazzschool.com
(708) 831-0673

Welcome to The Jazz School

This is not a place for method books, scales, and rudiments.

This is a place where you will learn to play creative music with people.

The Hard Truth

  • There are only about 60 jazz colleges in the US
  • Only 500 students graduate with a jazz degree per year
  • ​Half of those graduates come from the top 7 schools
  • ​10 of those schools are in New York
  • ​More than half of those degrees come from private schools, averaging $48k/year for tuition

On top of this, the schools emphasize:

  • Mechanics, scales, and theory over simple community and self expression
  • The skills you need to develop to "be a full time jazz musician" - which is something that largely no longer exists
  • Strict adherence to a tradition that was created by people who defied tradition (tradition is important, but must be balanced with creativity)
It is cripplingly difficult to learn jazz music in this way. Because of this, thousands of musicians feel like they are not “good enough for jazz” and they never even go to a session.

They spend years and decades getting method books, watching youtube videos, and practicing quietly at home.
    At The Jazz School,
    We Focus On Two Main Goals
    Our goal isn’t simply to “prepare you for a job in music”... (Although we can certainly do that)

    🛡️You didn’t start playing because you wanted a job
    🛡️You started playing to be your best self
    🛡️You started playing to share with people who love what you love
    🛡️You started playing so you could explore your creativity

    That is WAY bigger than a “gig” or two (and don’t worry, you will play way more than two gigs)
    Our Mission

    Bring your focus off of being “good enough” to “make it” by removing the false barriers (learn these scales, play full time, play this style, get a job in music) you think you need to pass to become a successful jazz musician

    1. Get you to realize that the only things you need to be a successful jazz musician are
         a. Community - play music with people
         b. Creativity - play music that excites you
    2. Immediately launch you deeply into these 2 areas, growing the Community and Creativity of the entire scene
    3. Give you the skills you crave to do those 2 things at the highest level so you can lead bands, get gigs, go to shows, write music, create opportunities and be the leaders of tomorrow’s jazz scene

    So that ULTIMATELY - Jazz will be inherited by love and purity. The next generation of jazz musicians deserves it.

      How Do We Do It?
      Through our own experiences as real professional jazz musicians, and through mentorship passed down through generations of our art form, we have identified 3 things that will get you there the fastest
        Jazz music is social music. It’s meant to be played with people, for people. Your community will drive all the growth you need to be the musician you want to be.
        It’s why you started. It’s what will keep you going. There are many challenges in learning your craft - rather than suffering beneath the weight of those details, we focus on growing your passion to a raging flame, so that all the obstacles fall, and the process is fun and effortless.
        This music has been passed down through the generations by ear. We see in you the music, creativity, and growth that our mentors saw in us. Trusting in your mentors (and them in you) will be the “gasoline on the fire” that makes you grow to the musician you were meant to be.

        Levels

        The biggest ability you will develop is your ability to shift between levels of detail.

        Most of the time when we are solving musical problems - we feel stuck, we feel like we have to play it a thousand times, or that it just doesn’t seem to work.

        This is extremely frustrating and discouraging. This comes from being too “zoomed in” or “zoomed out” - being at the wrong Level.

        Each level has a simple way to solve its unique problems.

        Once you learn how to solve problems at each level, all you need to do is focus on the right level at the right time and you will solve your musical challenges effortlessly.

        Learning By Ear

        Music is an auditory art form.

        When we “talk” about music or “read” music - we are translating. We are not communicating in its purest form.

        Translating takes too much brain power for someone who is improvising music.

        We don’t have time to think that slowly - it will take away from your creativity and your ability to listen to the people you’re playing with.

        We will teach you how to understand everything you hear - so much so that you can play it instantly. 

        From The Source

        If I showed you 100 of the greatest jazz drummers - some of them will have never touched a method book, some of them don’t know how to read music, some of them will never have even cared about the rudiments.

        Those aren’t the things that make a jazz musician. They can’t be.

        But I guarantee that every single one of those jazz drummers listened to a jazz drummer before them and was inspired by them.

        Instead of giving you a pile of exercises and hoops to jump through, we go straight to the source. The musicians that came before you.

        This music is a tradition passed down by ear through generations.

        You are the next phase of this lineage - and you get to listen to the musicians that inspire you the most and grab what you need to express yourself.
        Then What?
        Then - you'll have everything you need to create music that is meaningful to you and share it with your community.

        They will build you up, and you them.

        Whether you are just beginning, or deep into a professional career - being a part of that community makes you an heir to the legacy of creative improvised music - jazz.

        Jazz music deserves to be inherited by love and purity - and we believe you have what it takes to make that happen. 
          Welcome To The Jazz School
          How can I be a part of this?

            The Hang (free)

            Our free community and weekly congregation where jazz musicians come together to foster Community and Creativity. Come here to ask questions about your playing, your career, your compositions. We will mentor you.

            The Jazz School (paid)

            For jazz musicians who want to play more with people, start getting gigs, write music, get better gigs, get their own students so they can spend more time on their music, and far more. You will be mentored, and we will advocate for your passion around jazz music. 
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