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About STJS
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
founded on May 5, 1968
and incorporated in 1979.
Our Mission
The mission of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society (STJS) is to preserve and promote traditional jazz, Dixieland, and classic jazz music.
Read about our education programs - click here
STJS Bylaws – See link to bylaws in right column
of the STJS Board page
here.
Events for Members and the Public
Sac. Music Fest. | Youth Fest. | Jazz Sunday
Jazz Camp | Free concerts | Crab Feed | Education
SACRAMENTO MUSIC FESTIVAL (est. 1974):
For many years, the Sacramento Music Festival has been one of the world's largest and greatest traditional jazz festivals, attracting about 75,000 people to hear a showcase of jazz bands and more (including youth bands) performing throughout the Memorial Day Weekend in Sacramento. Children under age 12 are admitted free, while youth (age 12-20) receive a discounted ticket rate. There is no charge for admission to designated Next Generation jazz sites in Old Sacramento. For more info, visit: sacmusicfest.com or contact the STJS Office.
TJYBF – Trad. Jazz Youth Band Fest. (est. 2006): STJS created TJYBF, the first traditional jazz festival, for student jazz combos. It was a huge success, and so continues each year in early February. This non-competitive scholastic festival is co-presented with Sac. State Jazz Studies under the direction of Dr. Steve Roach. Approximately $4,000+ in merit awards and scholarships are offered. The band registration fee includes: sectionals, ensemble clinics, all-star faculty instruction, adjudicated performances, (optional) Friday evening jam session with clinicians, and admission to Jazz Sunday (the STJS monthly gathering). Festival tickets include the Evening Showcase concert featuring an all-star Clinicians Band. For detailed info, please visit: http://sacjazzfoundation.org/tjybf// or write to [email protected]
JAZZ SUNDAY CONCERTS (est. 1968):
Join us on the 2nd Sunday of each month. We encourage jazz fans, swing dancers, and music students to attend. Each monthly concert is like a mini Jazz Jubilee. We hire a special guest artist or well-known band to entertain our members as they gather to socialize, dance, or just hang out and listen to some great LIVE music. You'll find three rooms playing live music simultaneously! Our featured guest musicians perform on the Main Stage, our "Gold Card Musicians" play in the Gold Card Room, and then there are the jam sessions (for any and all musicians) that take place in the Tailgate Room. (Five sets x 3 rooms = a lotta’ music!) For complete Jazz Sunday info and pricing, visit sacjazz.org/sunday.html
TRAD. JAZZ CAMP –
Youth camp (est. 1986) renamed in 2014:
the Teagarden Jazz Camp
and Adult Trad. Jazz Camp (est. 2000):
This week-long summer camp in late July/early August provides intensive jazz combo instruction for approximately 100 young musicians, ages 12-18. For certain instruments, scholarships are available to the youth camp. Camp was expanded in 2000 to provide an additional week-long education for approximately 90 adults. Located amid cedar and pine trees (in the Sierra foothills, about 64 mi. east of Sacramento, CA), the camp is held at the Sly Park Environmental Education Center. Camp faculty consists of some of the finest trad. jazz musicians in the country.
Apply by April 1 each year. For more info: www.sacjazzcamp.org
"JAZZ IN THE PARK” Free Concerts (est. 1990):
[AS ANNUAL BUDGET ALLOWS] An outreach program of the STJS, this is a series of free summer concerts in Sacramento-area parks featuring Sacramento-area bands. It is presented in cooperation with the City of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation and the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society. The series typically includes nine concerts, all on Sunday evenings from 6–8 pm, running May through August.
When possible, there is a "MUSICAL PETTING ZOO" that introduces kids to musical instruments at these park concerts. Check the STJS website calendar for concert dates and locations: http://sacjazz.org/calendar.html UPDATE: In recent years, there have not been funds for this program.
CRAB FEED (est. 2007):
The annual STJS Crab & Pasta Feed is a benefit for the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society. In addition to all the crab and side dishes you can eat, there is LIVE music and a Silent Auction. It takes place at the end of January each year. Contact us if you have items for the auction or if you want to volunteer for the event.
If you'd like more information about any of these STJS programs, please contact our office. Contact info.
STJS Executive Directors
Jubilee founder Bill Borcher served as head of the festival, which started in 1974, while the STJS operated as its own club with officers and a board of directors. When Roger Krum took over in 1988, he was given the official title of STJS Executive Director, in charge of both festival and STJS activities. We are grateful to all of the following hardworking individuals who have devoted themselves to a monumental task, serving the Sacramento Community and beyond:
1974 to 1988 Festival Founder Bill Borcher
1988 to 2005 STJS Exec. Dir. Roger Krum
2005 to 2007 STJS Exec. Dir. Jill Harper
2007 to 2009 STJS Exec. Dir. Gene Berthelsen
2009 to 2010 STJS Exec. Dir. Jill Harper
2010 to 2011 STJS Exec. Dir. Greg Willett
2011 to 2014 STJS Exec. Dir. Vivian Abraham
2014 to 2016 STJS Exec. Dir. Tom Duff
2017 to Current STJS Exec. Dir. Joe Cruz
For more STJS programs, click here.
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