Summer'26 Quarter

Registration Open Now!
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New Students

Jazz Night School provides innovative music education designed for adults. Enjoy quality instruction for all skill levels - fun, supportive, and judgement-free. Whether you are a curious beginner or a seasoned performer, we have a place for you.

New Students

How to Register

From the Learn menu above, explore our offerings including Combos, Big Bands, Classes, and Private Instruction. Registration is available from each offering's page. Tuition for ten-week courses range from $295 to $645, and tuition assistance is available. New students must first schedule a skills assessment.

Jazz About Town 2026

Jazz About Town is a series of free sidewalk performances by Jazz Night School students and faculty that fill the streets of Seattle with joyful jazz in July: Saturdays, July 11, July 18, and July 25.Jazz About Town is also a critical fundraiser for our Tuition Support Fund, ensuring that everyone who wants to participate in our adult jazz education community (and join in the fun!) may do so regardless of their financial means. Your donations support other Jazz Night School students.

More Information
Musician Registration
Friends & Family Donations


Who We Are

Jazz Night School is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to the appreciation and celebration of Black American music. Jazz Night School transforms lives and builds community through music education accessible to all—creating a more connected, creative, and culturally vibrant Seattle.

What We Do

At Jazz Night School, we emphasize learning by doing. Our combos and ensembles are designed to meet students where they are, provide individualized feedback throughout each rehearsal, and focus on group playing and improvisation. Check out our teaching methods & curriculum.

Testimonials

What are students saying about Jazz Night School?

Support Jazz Night School

Show how you value Jazz Night School - your donation matters!

Building Harmony Campaign

Join our Permanent Home Project - start your pledge now!

Remembering Larry Jones

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Remembering Bill Berry

Donate to the Bill Berry Tuition Support Fund
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Students are saying:

I have been amazed that I found an avenue to play an instrument that I love and took up very late in life (55) with instructors and people who are encouraging and fun. 

Cindy Goodwin

 Jazz Night School combines great teaching with a real sense of community. I'll be playing music here for many years to come. Thanks JNS!

Anonymous

Jazz Night School is fulfilling a long-held dream to become a better player.

Warren Wilson

Playing music that I love with other people gives me such joy. I'm gaining confidence, improving my skills, and having fun doing it!

Anonymous

It is great to share my passion with others and work on a creative endeavor through Jazz Night School. I appreciate the positive energy, making new friends with the same interest and finding new avenues to play together.

Marianne Gonterman

Classes and Combos go better together!

Beginning Classes
Beginning Classes
Beginning Combos
Beginning Combos

Why Take Classes?

Play together, learn together.

Learning to make music, like many abilities people acquire, depends on “doing”. Jazz Night School has proven this with all our performance-based learning experiences within combos and big bands. That’s great because we can learn in the company of others - even more fun and rewarding.

Is that all it takes?

Growing musicianship however requires development of core areas which require individual work. In fact, the amount of solitary time invested and the quality of effort dedicated to developing these primary components of music-making, directly determine the state of our musicianship... more here.

Jay Thomas Jazz Night School Student Ensemble at KNKX

We are thankful for the support of the following organizations: