This review is a long time coming for me. I took my first jazz night school class in 2019 shortly after moving to Seattle. It's by far been the best thing I've done for my musical journey, ever. The progress in my playing I've made from participating in ensembles is truly amazing. It just works because you're thrown in the real deal right away (at a level that's good for you but still challenging.) By "the real deal" I mean playing music with people, working on challenging but approachable songs, & getting real time feedback from fellow musicians as well as pros (the teacher for one's ensemble.) Jazz Night School gave me the confidence to begin building community and playing with groups outside of classes too. Now I play with a few groups around town & have a lot of gigging experience. Even though I have met enough people to keep me pretty busy outside of JNS I still continue to take classes because they constantly push me to be a better player & I learn so much each session. Looking back at each session when it's done is always stunning because I feel like I've come so far since the beginning even though it was only 10 weeks. On a last sidenote, it's a fantastic deal especially for drummers like me because you have free access to studio time (drum sets provided by the school.) The cost of renting a studio in Seattle almost pays for the class cost if you take advantage of free studio time too. All that being said, I couldn't recommend this fantastic non-profit organization & welcoming community of serious musicians enough! read more

Amazing that there are so few reviews as JNS has been going for 10 years now. There are a couple that Yelp screened out for some reason that seem sincere to me... I'm a middle aged music "hobbyist" that takes seriously improving my craft. I've been coming to JNS on and off over the last 5 years or so. I'm passionate about learning music and becoming a better musician, and I also work full time, so going to Cornish or Berklee or some other full time program is just not realistic. Also, I come from a rock background, and don't really know a lot about jazz (at least, I didn't when I started), but music is music and there are a lot of commonalties and fundamentals that cross styles. The courses and workshops have helped me take my playing to whole new levels in both rock and jazz idioms. First, major kudos to Erik Hansen - the visionary behind the school. He was educated at Berklee, *really* knows his stuff, and is wildly passionate about music and teaching. His enthusiasm is contagious. And he takes a genuine interest in the growth and success of the students. He's done an extraordinary amount of work to make JNS worthwhile for students. I've taken a number of classes with Erik and I've learned a lot in each one. Second, the other teaching staff are also passionate about teaching and learning, and helping each student improve. I've taken theory and performance courses, and the teachers would help me take the learning as deep as I wanted or was able to go. All have been remarkably supportive. Third, from time to time there are one-day workshops presented by talented musicians. Notably, saxophonist Anton Schwartz and trumpeter Jared Hall are regulars. Thought I play guitar, without exception I've come away from each workshop I've attended with some ideas that have made a real difference to my playing or how I think about and approach music. I like that I can pick and choose how much coursework I can integrate into my schedule and I'm not beholden to some N-year program or schedule. The cost for classes and workshops is reasonable, and the value is high. I feel fortunate that I discovered JNS, and I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who is serious about improving their musicianship. read more

Our family has been in multiple combos, classes, and private lessons at this school for the last 5+ years. The quality of the instructors is unparalleled! They are all accomplished musicians and teachers. The school moved to online courses during COVID and managed to keep the same quality. What a lifesaver for so many people who wanted to continue their passion for music participation! The school's dedication to its students really shined through. There are offerings for musicians of all levels and instruments. The environment is nurturing and the staff is amazing and really cares about their students. It's so fun to watch the end of quarter performances and see the progress everyone made. I especially love that the school is non-profit and provides scholarships to anyone who can't afford to participate. If you are looking for professional, solid music instruction/participation in a fun, caring environment that you can grow in, this is the place! read more

A friend raved about Jazz Night School after joining a combo and i'd been looking for a way to start playing piano again - I ended up taking Nelda Swiggett's The Role of Piano in the combo and it was a perfect way to dig in on the foundations of jazz and improvisation and just start playing again. The students in my class had a range of experience and we were each encouraged to grow. Worked great online and in-person soon will be wonderful. I'm excited to join a combo next and keep learning! A wonderful community resource that more can now access thanks to continuation of online classes. read more

I am a huge fan of JNS. As a beginner, having the opportunity to play with experienced musicians has allowed me to progress much more quickly than I would otherwise. In each of the ensembles in which I've been a participant, I have felt encouraged and supported by teachers and fellow students alike. Erik is clearly passionate about music and goes out of his way to know all students by name, which makes for a super warm and welcoming environment. JNS is a true gem in this city and I am so looking forward to getting back to playing in person! read more

I've been taking classes and individual lessons online through Jazz Night School since the pandemic made in-person music more difficult. The instructors and the class offerings work well over the Zoom format and I have improved my facility with my upright bass playing, and I've learned much more about practical music theory and how to use it to help me improvise. I've also made friends with other musicians and have created a "bubble" of Covid safe people that I am now playing with. The attitude of the people at JNS is inclusive and supportive, encouraging us to try new things without fear! And the school welcomes all types and levels of students. I have studied with five teachers to date and they all are excellent musicians and wonderful teachers. I am newly-retired and returning to playing music after a long hiatus and it's been wonderful to meet a variety of students and learn from such great teachers! read more

I have participated in Jazz Night School for parts of the past 2 years. I play the drums and started learning playing again at 54, after my kids left for college. It is a fun, warm and supportive learning environment. Every other person in my classes also works full time so we are there to learn, have fun and play the best we can for each other. I encourage anyone who has played an instrument in the past to dust if off and come play - no judgment - just mutual support and fun. read more

My family has now been studying jazz at Jazz Night School and I cannot say enough good things about it. JNS (Jazz Night School) is run by a talented musician who is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston. Because of that he brings into the program a wonderful group of talented professional musicians to teach jazz classes and lead bands and small ensembles. My musicianship has grown immensely in the short time I have been a student. I highly recommend this school to anyone, of any age and any talent, from beginner to advanced, who loves jazz. read more