Jazz Jams and Workshops
Educational Jams and Workshops for All Ages and Abilities
Welcome! MJS offers two events per month and 2nd and 4th Sundays, October through May.
On 2nd Sundays 3:30-6pm there are two sessions with improvisation classes followed by collaborative ensemble playing. There is also a vocal track offered. On 4th Sundays 3:30-6:30pm there is a one hour workshop and then a jazz jam with a sign up sheet for players.
Check our events page for the current schedule of upcoming jams, just in case something changes.
How it Works
2nd Sundays at the WYSO Center
3:30 – 4:45pm Improvisation Workshops: These sessions will have two levels. Students will self-select.
Fundamentals: This session works on fundamental skills of jazz improvisation. The instructor will take one element of improvisation and the class will work through exercises to learn this particular skill. Examples include developing a riff, manipulating the melody, applying scales and chords, learning about patterns and song forms.
Expansions: This session will be for those looking to develop improvisational skills to a higher level. This class will address things like jazz harmony, chord substitutions, deeper skills of listening and musical connection, how to play in various time signatures, or discussing a specific artist and their influence.
4:45 – 6:00pm Ensemble Sessions Curated opportunities to practice playing or singing jazz and improvised creative music in an ensemble. Everyone present will be included in an ensemble. Coaches will play or sing with the ensembles.
The Combo Experience: learn by doing. All musicians will play with other musicians at the session in a jazz combo format.
Vocal Track: All vocalists will participate in improvisatory circle singing or other vocal jazz experiences.
Creative Improvisation Experience: Musicians will learn to improvise creatively and collectively without written music or specific song forms.
4th Sundays at COPA
3:30 – 4:30pm Workshop An instructor will teach tools for improvising over one or more of the selected songs.
4:30 – 6:30pm Jazz Jam Session Each jam will start with everyone in the workshop playing the “workshopped” song(s). We use a sign-up sheet so that everyone has the opportunity to step on stage and play a song they’re comfortable with.
Come ready to learn more about 1 or more of these songs:
October – Duke Ellington
C Jam or Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (blues), Take the A- Train, Caravan
November – Sonny Rollins
Tenor Madness (blues), St Thomas, Oleo (rhythm changes)
December – Vince Guaraldi & Mel Torme
Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmastime is Here” & “Skating” and Mel Torme’s “Christmas Song”
January – John Coltrane
Blue Trane (blues), My Favorite Things, A Love Supreme
February – Billie Holiday
Fine and Mellow (Blues), God Bless the Child, Don’t Explain
March – Thelonious Monk
Blue Monk or Straight No Chaser (Blues), Well You Needn’t, In Walked Bud
April – Charlie Parker
Now’s the time (blues) Yardbird Suite, Confirmation
May – End of Year Student Combo Showcase
Jam Session 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.
Jam Session Tips for Vocalists
Try to know which key you would like to sing 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 Society!
Become a member: JOIN
Check out our events page for all MJS sessions.
Save the date for MJS Summer Camp iGnitE jAzz!
Consider Donating to support MJS.
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.