Name: Make Music, Make Change with Akira Tana and Otonowa - Saturday, November 7th, 2026 4:00-5:00pm
Brand: Jazz Night School
SKU: Workshops
Price: 50.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Saturday, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

$50.00

In the first half of the workshop, participants will learn how Otonowa formed to help with fundraising and awareness efforts in Tohoku, and how participants can channel their own life experience and musical background to help with social justice causes. In the second half, Akira will overview how Otonowa turns a specific Japanese folk or pop song into a jazz tune that they play regularly. Participants are welcome to bring their own instruments and learn a new tune (melody and chord sheets will be provided), and also try out a few traditional Japanese instruments (woodwind/reed). Participants are encouraged to think about what tunes they might adapt into a jazz piece, and to experiment with instrumentation.

Otonowa began as a trio, formed to play at an art gallery in Fairfax, California to benefit for the communities affected by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster of 2011 in Northern Japan that claimed over 20,000 lives. It developed into a full- in studio recording and outreach, touring project offering spiritual support through music for the affected communities of Tohoku (Northern Japan). Drummer and leader Akira Tana assembled a group dedicated to treasured Japanese folk and pop pieces that were common to them all. And if jazz is indeed, a universal language, then that fact is certainly never more evident than what these talented artists have done with this music. The traditional Japanese songs they perform are re-harmonized, arranged and adapted for the jazz lexicon. The ensemble features traditional Japanese instruments including the shakuhachi and taiko drums.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Beginning, intermediate, or advanced

Jazz Night School is a vibrant and welcoming community-based nonprofit music education program that is home to hundreds of like-minded learners. Our school offers great opportunities to meet other dedicated jazz students and artists. Whatever your skill level, we have a place for you.

Schedule a skills assessment

We strongly encourage all new students to schedule a complimentary skills assessment so we can help you figure out the best place to start.

What is it like to learn with us?

As a student at Jazz Night School, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive community that shares a love and deep appreciation for jazz music in all its various forms. Your development as a musician is our primary educational goal. Whatever your skill level, our program can help you improve your musicianship and discover your own unique musical voice. For new students, we provide a complimentary introductory session that includes a skills assessment. This session gives you a chance to share your goals and interests and helps us point you to the most appropriate offerings. Each quarter we offer a wide variety of classes and workshops on improvisation, harmony, ear-training, and specialized topics. Our online classes feature lots of discussion and opportunity for questions and answers. There are no grades at Jazz Night School; rather, instructors give each student individual feedback on an ongoing basis. Everyone's effort is valued. When public health restrictions are relaxed, we will return to offering group ensemble opportunities that culminate in a short performance at a local nightclub. This is a fun-filled evening where friends and family come to applaud student efforts and cheer them on to new heights of musical expression!

We understand that most of our students have important life commitments such as work and family. There may be days that you have to deal with a sick child or a pressing work deadline and you aren't able to put in as much practice time as you would have liked. We get it. Our goal is to support your musical aspirations at whatever pace you are able to sustain at this time in your life.

Instructors

Jazz Night School instructors are some of the finest musicians and educators in Seattle’s vibrant jazz community. Some have learned their art through old school traditions and others have studied at premier institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Eastman, Indiana University, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, and University of Miami.

All Jazz Night School policies must be adhered to for enrollment, policies can be found here.