World renowned jazz artists who have supported the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop

Known throughout the world as the "Brush Master," Clayton Cameron brought his extraordinary drumming skills to Bakersfield three different times - once as Kenny Burrell's drummer for a BJW benefit concert and two other times to present free BJW clinics.One of the great sax players and jazz educators, Bob Sheppard wowed a standing room only audience at the BJW."A household name for saxophonists worldwide, Bob Sheppard has done it all. Superstar names such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Perter Erskine, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder and many, many, many legends pack his world-class resume. Splitting his time between Los Angeles, and New York, Bob’s forged working relationships with the best musicians on both coasts." - Interview with Doron Orenstein, www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.comWorld renowned saxophonist Tom Scott appeared at the Nile Theatre in downtown Bakersfield for the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop's annual benefit concert. Tom is shown here with local drummer Zanne Zarow, who admirably filled in at the last minute when Tom's drummer could not make it to the gig.View the list ยป
A member of the royal family of jazz, Jason Marsalis brought his quartet to the Stars Dinner Theatre in Bakersfield to perform at the annual Bakersfield Jazz Workshop benefit concert.

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Something known to Bakersfield residents and gradually becoming known to others across the world, is that the Bakersfield area has a thriving jazz scene. One of the many organizations and venues that helps to make that true is the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop.

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A 501 (c)(5) non-profit corporation, the BJW's mission is to support jazz education and jazz performance in the Bakersfield area. One of the ways it does this is by providing a free weekly event consisting of a beginning jazz class, a featured jazz act, and an open jazz jam session.

The BJW also presents several free jazz clinics and performances every year, each given by world renowned jazz musicians who share the BJW's goals. In addition, it holds an annual fundraising concert to raise monies for student scholarships, music and sound equipment, and to help pay performance fees for clinics and concerts.

Here's a list of just some of the many famous names in the jazz world who have appeared at BJW events.

View the list
  • A member of the royal family of jazz, Jason Marsalis brought his quartet to the Stars Dinner Theatre in Bakersfield to perform at the annual Bakersfield Jazz Workshop benefit concert.
  • World renowned saxophonist Tom Scott appeared at the Nile Theatre in downtown Bakersfield for the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop's annual benefit concert. Tom is shown here with local drummer Zanne Zarow, who admirably filled in at the last minute when Tom's drummer could not make it to the gig.
  • One of the great sax players and jazz educators, Bob Sheppard wowed a standing room only audience at the BJW."A household name for saxophonists worldwide, Bob Sheppard has done it all. Superstar names such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Perter Erskine, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder and many, many, many legends pack his world-class resume. Splitting his time between Los Angeles, and New York, Bob’s forged working relationships with the best musicians on both coasts." - Interview with Doron Orenstein, www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com
  • Known throughout the world as the "Brush Master," Clayton Cameron brought his extraordinary drumming skills to Bakersfield three different times - once as Kenny Burrell's drummer for a BJW benefit concert and two other times to present free BJW clinics.
  • Carl Saunders is one of the greatest jazz trumpeters in the world. Once referred to as "...the greatest trumpet player you've never heard...," he has given three different clinics for the BJW.
  • Jazz guitar legend Kenny Burrell graced the stage at the Nile Bar & Grill in downtown Bakersfield in 2008. He was the headliner for that year's annual BJW benefit concert
  • Saxophonist Javon Jackson (middle) gave a jazz clinic as well as performed a re-creation of Miles Davis' landmark jazz album, Kind of Blue.Also pictured: Frank Maccioli (Secretary & Board member of the BJW) and jazz vocalist Kama Ruby.
  • Sherry Williams brought her vocal talents to the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop to give a vocal clinic and performance. One of the truly talented vocalists in the world.
  • Here's a flyer for the BJW's 2011 clinicians series, which featured Tony Galla, Jacques Lesure, Sherry Williams, and Bob Sheppard. The BJW also added some other clinics not shown here.
  • Thelma Jones has had a long performing and recording career, equally comfortable with Gospel, Blues, Soul/R&B or Jazz. "It's the song that counts," says Thelma, "a good song is a good song in any genre." The BJW was happy to present her free clinic and performance to Bakersfield music fans.
  • World renowned drummer Daniel Glass gave a special drum clinic for fans in Bakersfield at the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop a couple of years ago. He's one of the more respected jazz drummers and educators in the world.
  • Donald Dean has appeared at the BJW as a Featured Act performer as well as a clinician. He has a long and respected performance and recording history in the jazz world, having played with too many major jazz stars to mention. He's also the answer to a bit of movie trivia - he was the drummer in the jazz club scene in the Michael Mann movie, Collateral, which starred Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx.
  • Erik Telford brought his high energy fusion group, the Erik Telford Collective to the BJW for one of the more exciting and energy filled experiences ever. Another of the new, young jazz musicians who are making their names known in the musical world, he appeared at the BJW within days of his performance at the famed Monterey Jazz Festival.
  • European Grammy winner Haakon Graf brought his piano and compositional skills to the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop last year and shared his experiences and theories on music with a packed house.
  • One of the new wave of jazz musicians making themselves known, Aram Shelton brought his group to the BJW just before appearing at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
  • As can be seen from the information shown on this BJW promotional flyer, BJW's clinicians bring bona fides second to none. Some of our clinicians are shown here - drummer/vocalist Dave Tull, trumpeter Carl Saunders, drummer Clayton Cameron, bassist Henry Franklin, pianist Theo Saunders, and vocalist Barbara Morrison.
View the list

, Bakersfield Jazz Music Examiner

Frank is an environmental engineer with a Master's degree in Environmental Pollution Control. His love of jazz was nurtured by growing up in a family of jazz musicians, one of whom (his mother) continues to perform in her 90's. As a result, it was a natural fit for him to become the Corporate...

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