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Madison Jazz Jam and Workshops

Educational Jams and Workshops for All Ages and Abilities

Welcome to Madison Jazz Jam and Workshops! These sessions are generally held the 1st Saturdays of each month at Café Coda and the second Wednesdays each month at COPA Madison.Check our events page for the current schedule of upcoming jams, just in case something changes.
Vibrant Madison Jazz Society logo featuring bold typography and colorful design elements representing jazz music and community engagement.

How it Works

Cool School/ Jump in and Jam Workshop/Student Focused Jam

11:30am – 1pm “Cool School Session” Hanah Jon Taylor will teach a class for middle and high school students called “Cool School” where they will explore creative improvisation and the future of this music we have called jazz.
11:30am – 1pm “Student Workshop Session” At the same time in a different room another local jazz educator musician will lead the workshop class that teaches people the building blocks of jazz from past jazz repertoire and will practice how to apply these improvisation skills to that repertoire.
1-3pm There will be a jam session on the stage at Cafe Coda. Each class will demonstrate some of what they worked on in each of those classes. The rest of the jam will be organized from a sign-up sheet for people to perform specific songs with a variety of people in a welcoming jazz jam session format.

Workshop + Jam

We host 2 workshops and a jazz jam the second Wednesday of each month October – May at COPA Madison in Fitchburg. These events feature 2 engaging workshops by experienced jazz educators, followed by an open jam session with a professional house band. The workshop in the main room will be instrumentally focused and in another room there will be a vocal workshop for those wanting to explore vocal improvisation and circle singing.

FAQ

  • Instrumentalists and vocalists: Jazz improvisers of all ages and talents are welcome at Madison Jazz Jam. We are a community gathering and we want to hear from you!
  • Audience: Jazz appreciators who want to hear good music.

Musicians sign up at the jam and indicate what songs they wish to play with the band. Blues in any key is a welcome place to begin or typical jazz standards from the Real Books. At times we may not be able to accommodate all who wish to play a particular song, so it is as good idea to prepare one or two alternate tunes.

No. Minors are welcome to play like any other musician.

Tips for Vocalists

Try to know which key you would like to sign in. Because instrumentalists commonly play jazz standards in one or two particular keys, and because vocalists may feel most comfortable singing in keys that the house band may consider “nonstandard” it will be helpful if you can let the band know your preferred key so they can adjust to best support you. If you plan to sing a song with a written arrangement, try to bring 3 copies of your sheet music so our house bands can familiarize themselves with it. But if you don’t have sheet music, don’t worry – our bands can play anything!

Welcome to Madison Jazz Jam!

Join us if you are an aspiring jazz musician, pro or even a fan interested in learning and listening to jazz. The Events page lists session dates and house band members.

We are here to play!

Our stage is equipped with a full PA with mics, an acoustic or pro-level electric piano, drum set and guitar and bass amps. In general it’s best to bring your own instruments beyond those provided, and any portable gear you feel you may need.

We provide music stands, and we keep several Real Books on hand for jammers to use each week.