Education Program

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 *** Special Early Bird Rate through May 31 ***

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RATEIS NOW $300. If you'd like to sponsor a student to the 12th Annual 2026 SUMMER Jazz Workshop, July 6-10, 2026, please contact us for details at info @ slojazzfest.org without spaces. DIRECTOR: Ron McCarley, Director of Jazz Studies, Cuesta College and John Knutson, Director of Vocal Studies. Additional instruction by Darrell Voss. Guest instructors this year will be announced by June 10, 2026.

Guest artists for 2026 announced: Bruce Foreman, legendary Bay Area guitarist, Dann Zinn, SF Bay Area world-class saxophonist; Jamaal Baptiste, Cal Poly Director of University Band and Jazz Piano, and pianist with Jamaal Baptiste Quartet; Scott Andrews, Founder of SLO Jazz Festival and saxophonist with Black Market Trio. 

The bio for Dann Zinn: https://www.dannzinn.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqMlDTlo0fUlxg8up5udn9W8LsfMmnoSE7cXX38mtCnnecQwy2U
The bio for Bruce Foreman: www.bruceforman.com/bio
The bio for Jamaal Baptiste: https://music.calpoly.edu/faculty/baptiste/
The bio for Scott Andrews: https://blackmarkettrio.com/about and https://www.slojazzfest.org/our-team.html

Previous guest instructors have included Aaron Lington, Michael Mull, Terry Lawless, John Worley, Wally Schnalle, Anton Schwartz, Danny Green, Ernie Watts, Charlie Shoemake, George Stone, Mark Pietri, and Scott Andrews. 
WORKSHOP DETAILS: 
The SLO Summer Jazz Workshop is a 5-day jazz performance course put on by the SLO Jazz Festival and Cuesta College aimed at students from Junior High through College and adults looking for a positive experience of musical growth.Each student will be instructed as to the role his/her instrument plays in a jazz ensemble as well as how to present themselves on the bandstand and prepare for getting paid work playing music.  This intensive week is a great time for learning to make music with new people, learning your instrument better and understanding jazz improvisation.

This summer’s workshop participants will be divided into three separate groups: “Jazz Master Class” and “Anyone Can Improvise.” The groups will participate jointly in some exercises but will have focused time each day for specialized lessons based on their skill level. Please use the information below to help you choose the appropriate group.

DATES: 1 week, Monday - Friday. July  6 - 10, 2026
Anyone Can Improvise: Enroll Now 
8:30am – 2:30pm (45-minute lunch break from 12:15-1pm)
  • Great for anyone who plays an instrument and has played some jazz
  • Best to have some music reading skills
  • All ages welcome
The Jazz Master Class: Enroll Now
9:30am – 3:45pm (30-minute lunch break from 12:30-1pm)
  • Can improvise in multiple keys
  • Some prior experience with gigging and reading changes
  • Great for the career minded
The Vocal Jazz Track: Enroll Now
9:30am – 3:45pm (30-minute lunch break from 12:30-1:00pm)
  • For aspiring jazz singers
  • Sing in a small vocal jazz choir and with a small jazz group
  • Inspiring teaching and musical situations

DATES: Monday - Friday:  July 6 - 10, 2026
AGES: Ages welcome 12 and up
FEES: 
  • Early bird rate (register by May 31) - $250
  • Regular rate  (starting  June 1) - $300
LOCATION: San Luis Obispo Campus: Rooms 7160 & 7104
INSTRUCTOR: Ron McCarley, John Knutson, Darrell Voss, guest artists
QUESTIONS: Contact Scott Andrews, SLO Jazz Fest at 805-459-6939 or Community Programs at (805) 546-3132.

Final Concert
DATE: Friday, July 10, 2026
TIME: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Special guest artist room sponsorship provided by La Cuesta Inn:
JAZZ TALKS
We're developing an education program with the vision to spread the message about jazz to the youth, musicians, appreciators, and seniors.

Our first education program offering was our Jazz Talks: American Songbook - Great Composers in Jazz Series, in 2014. ​

The Summer Jazz Workshop REGISTRATION is currently OPEN - Sign up today! 

Registration details online now. We now offer a full week and offer "Anyone can Improvise" and "Jazz Masterclass" sessions, with combo, big band, and guest instructors John Worley and Michael mull. (Previous years include Anton Schwartz, Danny Green, Ernie Watts, Terry Lawless, Scott Andrews, Charlie Shoemake, and George Stone)!
Photos from the 2014 Summer Jazz Workshop - 2018 Summer Jazz Workshop.