The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, sustaining itself through the generous donations of local residents and businesses. Our dedicated board comprises entirely of volunteers. Over the past 35 years, we have consistently delivered exceptional Jazz performances in the Sonoma Valley. Each year, we provide scholarships to talented local jazz students. Notably, we've recently initiated a collaboration with Sonoma State University (SSU), renowned for its outstanding Jazz Program. The selection of two students was guided by the recommendations of the faculty, acknowledging their exceptional dedication to their respective instruments. We aspire to nurture and expand this partnership with SSU on an annual basis.

In 2023 we gave out two scholarships; one to Saxophonist Estella Zea and Pianist Jomei Greer.

My name is Jomei Greer and I am a senior at SSU pursuing my Bachelors degree in Jazz studies. I am from Southern California and I have been playing the piano classically since I was 5yo, my formal jazz training beginning about 6 years ago. After I get my degree I hope to get out to New York to potentially get my Masters.

Estella Zea is a 19-year-old tenor saxophonist and composer based in the Bay Area. She has been playing saxophone since she was 9 and has found a love for big band arranging and transcription. She graduated from Marin School of the Arts in 2022 and is currently working towards her B.M. in Jazz Studies at Sonoma State University.

How the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society gives back!

  • Present a variety of international, regional, and local jazz artists in live performance.

  • Produce four free jazz concerts in the Sonoma Plaza.

  • Present Latin Jazz annually to promote our Latin community.

  • Assisted local jazz artists with grants during COVID.

  • Provide scholarships for continuing jazz studies at the high school or college level.

  • Provide jazz clinics for local high school jazz band.

  • Support local jazz musicians with gigs, grants, and promotional assistance.

  • Collaborate with other arts organizations in Napa Valley and the Greater Bay Area.

Want to make a donation to the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society?

You can use the Guide Star webiste. Just search for Sonoma Valley Jazz Society.

Nonprofit data for donors, grantmakers, and businesses | GuideStar | Candid

Fernando received a jazz scholarship and used it for vocal lessons.

Scholarship recepient Gio Mendez used his scholarship for improving his saxophone skills. Here he is with saxophonist Noel Jewkes

Flowery Grade School listens to jazz performance by Saxophonist Brian Girard, Bassist Tim Campbell and Guitarist Randy Vincent

Composter & trombonist Adam Theis (Jazz Mafia) teaches a master jazz class at Sonoma High.

Worked with fellow jazz society - Napa Valley Jazz Society to give grants to local Sonoma jazz musicans during COVID with the JAZZ ARTIST RELIEF FUND.

Sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society,  Rebecca Fitch - Music Director at Sooma Valley High School welcomed Jazz Musicians Kendrick Freeman - Drums, Steve Rubardt - Piano, Andrew Emer - Bass,  Gio Mendes - Saxophone (Sonoma Valley Jazz Society scholarship recipient) to her morning class. The group performed and presented elements of jazz performance, jazz repertoire, blues forms & song structure, harmony and rhythmic variances. The class played through Herbie Hancock’s " Watermelon Man” and students improvised over the tune.

Hi Janice,
First of I want to extend a big thank you on behalf of the students, I think students took away quite a lot from this experience and they were very grateful to have the opportunity to be able to talk, listen, and jam with a pro musician.  I think the students who weren't musicians or had little experience in music also gained some wisdom from the experience and had the chance to experience.  Overall I think it was a big success and a step-up for the music program, thank you for all of your help in coordinating this session.  I am really looking forward (as well as the students) to the next opportunity to do this again. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Casey Jones

Sonoma Valely High School

Dick Conte Jazz Piano Scholarship

Another great organization we have donated to - The California Jazz Conservatory