The bands are playing their first concerts since the start of the pandemic at the Berkeley High School Little Theatre.
Berkeley High Jazz
Posted inSchools
Distance learning can’t defeat Berkeley High Jazz
Not being able to play music together this year has proved tough, but lockdown has also left BHS’s young musicians more deeply versed in jazz than perhaps any previous class.
Posted inArts
Berkeley High jazz comes home Friday at the UC Theatre
The primal call of school spirit will be on full display at Friday’s UC Theatre Berkeley High jazz program fundraiser featuring the award-winning BHS Jazz Ensemble.
Posted inArts
From Cuba with love: Berkeley High Jazz at the UC Theatre
Berkeley High has nurtured more top-shelf jazz musicians than any other high school in the nation that’s not organized around a music and arts curriculum.
Posted inArts
One to watch: BHS grad, musician Spencer Stevens
Producer, engineer, manager and DJ Spencer Stevens. Photo: Courtesy of Kris Contresas Ask Spencer Stevens how he became so musically inclined and he’ll probably give you a modest response. Something like: “I don’t know, I’m just blessed,” or “A lot of time and effort.” Whatever humble answer the 22-year-old Berkeley High graduate chooses, he’s downplaying […]
Posted inArts
Jazz blooms in Berkeley with a rich choice of performers
Bassist Marcus Shelby, part of the Jazz in the Neighborhood concert at the David Brower Center on Sunday May 17. Photo: courtesy John Herbst On any given night one can find a handful of jazz gigs in Berkeley interesting enough to coax even a casual fan out of the house. But this Sunday offers something […]
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David Bowie to Broadway: Dan Wilensky back in Berkeley
Dan Wilensky, who attended Berkeley High, is back in town for a series of gigs. Photo: courtesy Dan Wilensky Fresh out of Berkeley High in the summer of 1979, Dan Wilensky had to make a fateful decision. The prestigious Eastman School of Music was offering a full scholarship at the same time that the Ray […]
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Paul Hanson: Bringing the Bass(oon) to Berkeley Friday
Paul Hanson and Ariane Cap: will perform Friday, 8 p.m., at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley. Photo: SN Jacobson Paul Hanson has spent much of his life taking the bassoon into realms where the horn has never before traveled. From world jazz and klezmer to funk and rock, the Berkeley native refuses to be […]
Posted inEvents
The It List: Five things to do in Berkeley this weekend
Zongo Junction is one of two bands playing in the East Bay on Friday that feature alumni of the Berkeley High jazz program. Photo courtesy of Zongo Junction BHS JAZZ ALUMNI IN THE BAY AREA Alumni of Berkeley High’s renowned jazz program are returning to their native East Bay to ring in the new year at a […]
Posted inEvents, Schools
The It List: Five things to do in Berkeley this weekend
Dr. Herb Wong, seen here with Duke Ellington, invited world class big bands to perform for BUSD students. On Sunday, a Berkeley High Jazz alumni concert will honor Wong, who died in April. Photo: Suzanne McCullough BERKELEY HIGH JAZZ ALUMNI CONCERT The “father” of Berkeley High’s acclaimed jazz program will be commemorated on Sunday at the […]
Posted inArts
Three cheers for Jazz on Fourth, Sunday in Berkeley
The 19th Jazz on Fourth event takes place on Sunday May 18 on Fourth Street in Berkeley. Photo: Tracey Taylor There’s nothing like free music in a public space to bring people together, and there’s no better line up on tap in town this season than the 19th Annual Jazz on Fourth, which runs this […]
Posted inObituaries
Herb Wong: Visionary founder of BUSD’s jazz program
As principal of Washington Elementary School in the 1960s, Herb Wong, center right, seen here with Duke Ellington, invited world-class big bands to perform for students. Photo: Suzanne McCullough As principal of Washington Elementary School in the 1960s, Herb Wong, center right, seen here with Duke Ellington, invited world-class big bands to perform for students. Photo: Suzanne […]
