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.

~ Offbeat Wisdom ~

“My music is not about knowing the right note. It’s about knowing the right question.” — Ornette Coleman

SacJEF Welcomes New Executive Director

Amanda Scott is a nonprofit executive, community leader, and strategic operations professional with a passion for expanding access to education, arts, and community resources. She brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, organizational development, program management, fundraising, community engagement, and public advocacy.

As the founder and Executive Director of EG SPEAKS (Elk Grove Special Education Advocacy, Knowledge, and Support), Amanda has built a thriving grassroots nonprofit that connects families with advocacy, education, and community support while leading strategic initiatives, cultivating partnerships, securing funding, and guiding organizational growth. Her work has established her as a respected leader in collaborative community building and systems change.

Amanda’s professional background also includes extensive experience in business management, administration, volunteer engagement, event planning, communications, and cross-sector partnership development. She has successfully led large-scale community initiatives, managed nonprofit operations, developed sustainable programs, and worked alongside educators, government agencies, businesses, and community organizations to advance meaningful impact.

As Executive Director of the Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation, Amanda is excited to bring her expertise in nonprofit leadership and organizational strategy to support music education and ensure young musicians have access to transformative artistic opportunities. She believes the arts have the power to inspire creativity, build confidence, strengthen communities, and create lifelong opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

Teagarden Jazz Camp

Teagarden Jazz Camp is in the bag! A couple of great weeks for the kids followed by two concerts. Thanks to everyone that turned out to listen to what the kids have been up to. “Our grandson is experiencing his first year at Jazz Camp. We are so happy with this program and his progress.” ~ Tommy K.

TNT Musicians Spotted at Large

These two students were recently spotted sitting in with local jazz Cunha Big Band. Both attended Teagarden Jazz Camp this year during the second session. Great job Madison Kate and Henry Dall-Parker!

Teagarden Jazz Festival coming in February

Save the Date!  SacJEF’s 20th Teagarden Jazz Festival for Young Musicians is set for Saturday, February 6th, 2027. This year the featured Guest Artist will be the fabulous Bria Skonberg. Many of us at SacJEF remember her when she brought her own band, “Mighty Aphrodite”, to the old Sacramento Jubilee as a teenager. She attended the Teagarden Jazz Camp, and later served on its faculty. She now lives in New York City where she is in great demand on trumpet and vocals, and often performs her own compositions. While you are at it, save the next day, February 7th, for a very special afternoon concert featuring Bria and some of the TJF Clinicians. Details TBA.

Did U Know?

The word “jazz” almost certainly started as slang unrelated to music – used around 1912-1913 in West Coast baseball writing to mean pep or energy – before it got attached to the music itself in Chicago and New Orleans circles a few years later. Some of the earliest printed uses of “jass” even show up in ads for bands, with the spelling still unsettled.

~ Offbeat Wisdom ~

“I basically borrowed everything I’ve ever heard, especially from the horn players, and turned it into my own style of singing.” — Ella Fitzgerald