Jazzschool Studio Band Performs Tonight at Yoshi's

From the California Jazz Conservatory:

The Jazzschool Studio Band, featuring the Bay Area’s finest high school musicians, including performers from Berkeley, Lamorinda and Walnut Creek, is ready for its final performance before departing on its’ European Tour later this month. Performing atYoshi’s in Oakland’s Jack London Square tonight -- on Monday, June 8 -- at 8 p.m., the Studio Band gained national recognition when it was named Honors Ensemble in Downbeat Magazine’s 38th Annual Student Music Awards.

The young musicians are excited to perform at European jazz festivals this summer in Vienne, France, Montreux, Switzerland, and at the Umbria Festival in Perugia, Italy.

Led by legendary bandleader, composer and arranger Dave Eshelman, the band sounds mature beyond their musicians’ young ages. These remarkable young musicians from across the Bay Area represent the future of jazz as they live, breathe and sleep the music that has gripped their souls and captured their hearts. They come from all walks and locations - from Berkeley to San Ramon and San Francisco to Walnut Creek to Novato.

Concertgoers can expect incredible arrangements, fiery solos and amazing music, both exploratory and traditional. The group placed third at this year’s national competition Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival and a number of its soloists are in this year’s GRAMMY band with students selected from around the country. These musicians are the future of jazz, and Yoshi’s is the place to see them before they leave the country June 26.

Tickets for the Jazzschool Studio Band performance tonight at Yoshi’s in Jack London Square are $15 adults and $12 students. Purchase at the door or click here.

A portion of performance proceeds will support costs associated with the band’s European Tour.

The Jazzschool Studio Band is part of the Community Music School at the California Jazz Conservatory (CJC) in Berkeley. The CJC, an innovative nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the study and performance of jazz and is the only accredited, stand-alone conservatory devoted exclusively to jazz studies in the United States.

Studio Band members are devote much of their time to perfecting their craft and mentoring others, like band member Remee Ashley, 16, from Berkeley High School. In addition to winning ensemble and solo awards playing trombone, tuba and French horn, Ashley has performed with Sheila E in a benefit concert sponsored by Elevate Oakland to bring music and art classes to Oakland community classrooms. He is a mentor with “BMUZ,” teaching and mentoring middle school students’ musical development, and he created a program with friends called “Begin” to help young musicians obtain free music lessons.

“The most important thing about music is not just about being the best at it, but telling your story in your own unique way. I can’t wait to go to Europe and hear other people’s stories,” Ashley says.

Bass player Max Schwartz is another example of the dedication and talent found among Studio Band members. In addition to performing with the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble and Combo, Schwartz is a member of the SF JAZZ High School All Star Orchestra, was selected to be part of the CBDA California All-State Jazz Band in 2013 and earned a spot on this year’s youth GRAMMY band as a member of the Jazz Combo. Schwartz also received an award from DownBeat Magazine in 2014 for his composition, “Speranza.”

Studio Band members are selected yearly by audition; they perform frequently and participate in competitions throughout the U.S. The band has played at Yoshi’s and Savanna Jazz, as well as at jazz festivals in California, New York, Seattle, Idaho and top European festivals. Find out more about the California Jazz Conservatory and the Jazzschool Studio Band at http://www.cjc.edu/community-music-school-youth/youth-ensembles/large-ensembles/

Tickets for the Jazzschool Studio Band performance Monday, June 8 at Yoshi’s in Jack London Square, at 8pm, are $15 adults and $12 students. Purchase at the door or go tohttp://www.yoshis.com/event/707529-jazzschool-studio-band-europe-oakland/.

A portion of performance proceeds will support costs associated with the band’s European Tour.

Studio Band members are selected yearly by audition; they perform frequently and participate in competitions throughout the U.S.Find out more about the California Jazz Conservatory and the Jazzschool Studio Band at http://www.cjc.edu/community-music-school-youth/youth-ensembles/large-ensembles/

PHOTOS: Trombonist Remee Ashley solos at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek; The Studio Band placed third in the 2015 Conglomerate High School Big Band Division; saxophone section featured at their Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival performance. Credit: Shannon Miller