JAZZ SESSIONS I
July 27 – July 29, 2026
Novice to Intermediate
JAZZ SESSIONS II
July 20 – August 1, 2026
Intermediate to Skilled
JAZZ SESSIONS offers two, three-day workshops based on a Process Approach to better understanding jazz and improving your performance skills. Designed for an intensive three-day experience, JAZZ SESSIONS will focus on the why and how, examining and explaining topics specifically selected for the participants. Topics you have heard about but never knew why, what to study or how to apply within your own playing.
Faculty:
Michael Tracy – Saxophone, Master Classes, Combo, Director
Sean Parsons – Piano, Master, Master Classes, Combo
Support faculty:
Craig Wagner – Guitar, Combo, Master Class
Doug Elmore – Bass, Combo, Master Class
Terry O’Mahoney – Drumset, Master Class
Tentative Schedule
JAZZ SESSION I – Monday, July 27, 2026
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Registration |
| 8:30 – 9:45 | Wake-up / Warm-up |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 – 11:15 | Master Class I |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Break |
| 11:30 – 1:00 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 3:45 | Master Class II |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Break |
| 4:00 – 5:30 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 5:45 – 6:45 | Faculty Concert |
| 6:45 | Dinner |
JAZZ SESSION I – Tuesday, July 28, 2026
| 8:30 – 9:45 | Wake-up / Warm-up |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 – 11:15 | Master Class III |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Break |
| 11:30 – 1:00 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 3:45 | Master Class IV |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Break |
| 4:00 – 5:30 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 5:45 – 6:45 | Faculty Concert |
| 6:45 – | Dinner |
JAZZ SESSION I – Wednesday, July 29, 2026
| 8:30 – 9:45 | Wake-up / Warm-up |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 – 11:15 | Master Class V |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Break |
| 11:30 – 1:00 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 3:45 | Master Class VI |
| 3:45 – 5:15 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 5:15 – 5:30 | Break |
| 5:45 – 6:45 | Faculty/Student Concert |
| 6:45 | Dinner |
JAZZ SESSION II – Thursday, July 30, 2026
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Registration |
| 8:30 – 9:45 | Wake-up / Warm-up |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 – 11:15 | Master Class I |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Break |
| 11:30 – 1:00 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 3:45 | Master Class II |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Break |
| 4:00 – 5:30 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 5:45 – 6:45 | Faculty Concert |
| 6:45 | Dinner |
JAZZ SESSION II – Friday, July 31, 2026
| 8:30 – 9:45 | Wake-up / Warm-up |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 – 11:15 | Master Class III |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Break |
| 11:30 – 1:00 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 3:45 | Master Class IV |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Break |
| 4:00 – 5:30 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 5:45 – 6:45 | Faculty Concert |
| 6:45 – | Dinner |
JAZZ SESSION II – Saturday, August 1, 2026
| 8:30 – 9:45 | Wake-up / Warm-up |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 – 11:15 | Master Class V |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Break |
| 11:30 – 1:00 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 3:45 | Master Class VI |
| 3:45 – 5:15 | Playing Session / Combo |
| 5:15 – 5:30 | Break |
| 5:45 – 6:45 | Faculty/Student Concert |
| 6:45 | Dinner |
MASTER CLASS TOPICS
(in no particular order)
| Effective practice strategies | Effective warm-up techniques |
| Challenges adult learners face | How and what to listen to |
| Using digital patterns | Starting a solo, ending a solo |
| Learn and incorporate ii V7 ideas | Memorization suggestions |
| Playing the blues | BeBop language |
| Improvising off of a melody | Improvising off of a melody |
| How to make a tune your own | Ideas from tunes and transcriptions |
| How to use altered dominants | How and what to listen to |
| Soloing on contemporary tunes | Comping and piano voicings |
| and more |