September 30, 2026

SacJEF September Newsletter

Music Lesson Award Applications Open Until October 31st!

Do you know a young person who has an interest in improving their musical ability? Perhaps to join a band, or play for enjoyment as a hobby. The Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation offers Music Lesson Awards to students interested in developing their ability to play and perform music.

Awards are in the form of paid music lessons on the standard instruments used in jazz performance. Instruments include (among others): trumpet, cornet, trombone, clarinet, sax, piano, banjo, guitar, bass, tuba, drums, and vocals. Award recipients will be selected based on several factors, which include but are not limited to:
1) Interest in learning and improving your playing;
2) Dedication to becoming a better musician;
3) Willingness to work hard and practice;
4) Recommendation by a music instructor (school
or private )
5) Financial need.
Applicants must be enrolled in elementary through high school (including home schooled)

You can find the application here.

Youth Bands Perform at Hot Jazz Jubilee

Hot Jazz Jubilee hosted 5 youth bands from the Sacramento area this year – Syncopating Sea Monkeys, SYB Jazz Ensemble, Demo 3, the Mia Garcia Quartet and our own TNT! There’s nothing quite like watching the next generation of jazz musicians step into the spotlight. Surrounded by seasoned performers at the festival, the students brought their own energy to the stage, trading solos and swinging through standards in front of one of the most jazz-loving crowds in the region.

The Pro Am Jam Clinic provided an opportunity for young musicians to play with professionals. Learning to hold their own while the community cheers them on gave them a rare and invaluable experience. Dozens of young musicians from the area crowded the stage alongside some outstanding professional musician clinicians.

Teagarden Jazz Festival is coming in February

Mark your calendars for the special concert on Saturday February 6th, 2027. Trumpeter/Vocalist/Songwriter Bria Skonberg will perform starting at 4:30 with the Guest Artist Workshop and Showcase to follow.

The Teagarden Jazz Festival is open to all small ensembles of 4-9 musicians (up to 12 for brass bands with a max of 7 horns) performing at a time. In addition to school bands, all festival divisions also include jazz combos & New Orleans-style brass bands. Band registration is open and closes on Friday, December 4th, or until spaces are filled, whichever comes first.

You can register bands here.

Eagle Scout Project Benefits SacJEF

Lucian Munz, a senior at Rio Americano High School and a jazz guitarist, chose SacJEF as the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout Project. Lucian and his team of fellow scouts built some much needed shelving in the SacJEF office to store our stage equipment. Now, instead of it all being stacked on top of each other against the wall, we have specific places for each item! Thank you, Lucian, and congratulations on completing your Eagle Scout Project!

Did U Know?

Swing – that slightly behind-the-beat, rocking rhythm – actually comes from African polyrhythmic traditions blended with American march and blues influences. Musicians still debate exactly how to notate “swing feel,” because it’s more about a lived, felt timing than something you can pin down precisely on paper.