The San Jose Jazz youth orchestra is an advanced jazz ensemble comprised of the Bay Area's most talented young jazz musicians. They experience weekly rehearsals, pro-level performances at great venues with renowned guest artists. Aside from performing at the San Jose Jazz Festival, they perform year-round as part of the organization's performance programs and at special events.
"My son is in the San Jose Jazz High School Big Band this year and I wanted to tell you how great an experience it is, and definitely the highlight of his week. I've sat in on a few practices and I'm really impressed with Naoki [the band director] and the whole group. As is to be expected the kids have all their lights turned on and are serious, eager, and thrilled to be there. Naoki is wonderful with them and treats them respectfully and as intelligent people who are talented, and sets the bar high for their playing. " Elizabeth H., mother of a San Jose Jazz High School Big Band's musician.
The Orchestra are supported in part by
Recently, Southwest.com made it possible for the Orchestra students to attend a master classes with famous jazz organist Doug Carn.
For questions, please contact Harley Christensen, director of education & development at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
San Jose Jazz High School Bands performing at a Holiday Concert, on Dec. 1st, 2009
San Jose Jazz Students: Post Secondary Music Education, Recognition & Awards
Current Post Secondary Music Education
Gregory Chen – Manhattan School of Music
Kevin Wang – The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
Sutton Marley – University of North Texas (Jazz Studies Scholarship)
Frank Silva – Berklee College of Music
Michael W. Davis – Manhattan School of Music (Presidential Scholarship)
Matthew Davis – California Institute of the Arts
Richard Sears - University of Southern California
Yuma Sung – Manhattan School of Music
David Creel – University of the Pacific
Brama Sukarma – New York University
Chi Tran – University of California Los Angeles
Recognition & Awards
2009 Folsom Jazz Festival Soloist Awards – Giancarlo Antonelli, Nick Sutton, Daniel Merriott, Gregory Chen.
2009 Folsom Jazz Festival Scholarships - Giancarlo Antonelli, Gregory Chen
2009 Folsom Jazz Festival Soloist Awards – Giancarlo Antonelli, Nick Sutton, Daniel Merriott, Gregory Chen, Johanne Ramirez, Denis Tran, Chi Tran
2009 Folsom Jazz Festival Scholarships – Giancarlo Antonelli, Gregory Chen, Chi Tran
2009 Campana Jazz Festival – Laila Smith $250 Scholarship to Stanford Jazz Camp
2009 Reno Jazz Festival – Giancarlo Antonelli (Outstanding Overall Highschool Musician)
2009 Reno Jazz Festival – Johanne Ramirez (Outstanding High School Drummer)
2009 Monterey Jazz Festival – Giancarlo Antonelli, Full Scholarship to Berklee Jazz Workshop
2009 Monterey Jazz Festival – Johanne Ramirez, 30% Scholarshop to Berklee Jazz Workshop
2009 Stanford Jazz Workshop – Johanne Ramirez, Outstanding Highschool Musician w/ full scholarship; Laila Smith, Outstanding Junior High Musician w/ full scholarship
2009 Downbeat Magazine’s top junior high school jazz vocal soloist in the country – Laila Smith
2009 California All State Jazz Band Members – Johanne Ramirez and Gregory Chen
2009 Jazz Band of America – Gregory Chen
Monterey's 2009 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra – Gregory Chen
2008 Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony – Gregory Chen
2006 Pianist of the Grammy Trio – Yuma Sung
2002 Downbeat “Best Original Song” Junior High Division – Yuma Sung
2004 Reno Jazz Festival “Outstanding Performer on Piano” in the high school division – Yuma Sung
2004 Downbeat Student Music Award “Oustanding Performances in Piano” – Yuma Sung
2004 Downbeat Student Music Award “Best Jazz Arrangement” – Yuma Sung
“Yuma Style” CD released in 2005 on Columbia Music Entertainment – Yuma Sung
