Jazz
MacPhail Center for Music is proud to offer students exploration of the great Black American art-form, jazz.
MacPhail’s jazz faculty provides a comprehensive, explorative jazz curriculum that spans the great traditions of the past to the innovative developments of the present. The program gives students different opportunities and enhances the presence and quality of jazz performance in the MacPhail community.
Jazz offerings include: individual lessons, ensembles, combos, summer camps, school partnerships, performances, master classes, and jam sessions.
Class Offerings
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Jazz Camp: July 20-24
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Singers’ Jam Session – SUMMER
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Adult Jazz Combos – Minneapolis – SUMMER
Individual Lessons
Jazz Combos & Ensembles
The Dakota Ensemble – An Elite Instrumental Jazz Combo
A unique performance ensemble experience for advanced youth musicians led by guitarist and composer Zacc Harris, offering students the chance to develop their skills in a professional-level small group setting. Members explore a wide range of jazz repertoire, refine improvisational and ensemble techniques, and perform at leading venues including the Dakota Jazz Club. Participation is tuition-free, providing an exceptional opportunity for talented students to grow artistically, collaborate at a high level, and connect with the vibrant Twin Cities jazz community.
Accepting auditions for all standard jazz instruments this fall.
- In-person auditions: Monday, September 29, 2025 (application deadline of Friday, September 26, 2025)
- Pre-recorded video auditions can be submitted through the application if the student cannot attend in-person auditions.
Jazz Combos
MacPhail creates unique Jazz combos for interested students for every skill level and age. 2 years of prior playing experience or lessons is required. To get started, submit an interest form and we’ll reach out about combo placement.
Jazz Composer’s Ensemble
Led by local artist JC Sanford, this hands-on, collaborative group is designed for adult and advanced teen musicians who want to deepen their understanding of jazz through both performance and composition.
Improvisation Ensemble
Led by local artist Brandon Wozniak, this collaborative ensemble for advanced adult and teen musicians allows participants to improvisation through playing diverse jazz and contemporary repertoire, develop essential listening and interaction skills, and shape unique musical interpretations together.
Meet MacPhail's Jazz Faculty
Ben Bussey
Greg Keel
Craig Anderson
Additional Offerings
MacPhail offers a variety of additional offerings in Jazz throughout the year, please check back for more information!
Jam Sessions
Key to this program, open jam sessions (similar to the jazz clubs of year’s past) provide students with the opportunity to perform with others, test their chops, develop performance skills, and network with a welcoming community of fellow musicians.
Performances/Master Classes
Throughout all student activities, performances are integrated. In addition, the MacPhail jazz faculty perform frequently at MacPhail events and in featured MacPhail concerts such as the MacPhail Presents Series. Faculty also provide instrument/genre specific master classes.
Guest Clinicians
School Partnerships
Jazz sessions led by MacPhail teaching artists will become a significant offering for students in schools throughout Greater Minnesota utilizing MacPhail Online School Partnership program. Jazz is a vital component of OSP assisting music educators in Greater Minnesota whose it greatly limited.
MacPhail is pleased to announce a new partnership with Minnesota Youth Jazz bands. MacPhail is the host site for rehearsals and concerts.