Learner’s Jazz Jam

Each Learner’s Jazz Jam is coached by two professional mentor musicians who are active members of Utah’s jazz community. Sessions begin with up to 30 minutes of hands-on instruction focused on the featured tune, followed by two groups based on players’ experience and readiness.

Foundation Track: For players who are still building their jazz skills. This might be someone who can play their instrument comfortably but needs more support learning the melody, navigating chord changes, or getting started with improvisation. The group will work through the featured tune together at a slower pace, with memorization still a goal, but with more time and support to get there.

Fast Track: For players who are ready for a more traditional jam experience. This might be someone who can mostly learn a tune independently, whether using a lead sheet or playing from memory, and can play through it with a group. Players will work through the featured tune, take solos, receive coaching and feedback, and play additional tunes from the repertoire. Memorizing the tune is a stronger goal in this track, with players working toward being able to play the repertoire from memory more quickly.

The goal is to give each player an opportunity to play, learn, and build confidence alongside other musicians at a similar stage in their development.

The Learner’s Jazz Jam is designed for beginner/intermediate musicians who have a foundation on their instrument and are ready to begin playing jazz with other musicians. You don’t need to have dozens of jazz standards memorized or be an experienced improviser, but you should be comfortable enough with your instrument to participate in a small-group setting.

For example, guitarists and pianists should have some familiarity with comping, bassists should have some experience with walking bass and other common jazz bass roles, drummers should know basic jazz time feels, and horn players should be comfortable learning and playing melodies. Some basic music theory knowledge—including scales, chords, and chord progressions—will also be helpful.

Everyone is welcome to attend and observe, but participation requires a minimum level of instrumental and musical proficiency. If you’re very new to your instrument, new to jazz, or not yet comfortable playing in a group, we encourage you to come observe a session first. You can listen, learn from the coaches and other players, and work on the skills you need before jumping in.

Our goal is to provide a supportive environment where musicians can build confidence, develop a repertoire, and bridge the gap between individual practice and participating in a traditional jazz jam.

The Learner’s Jazz Jam is built around a shared repertoire of jazz standards that we develop throughout the season. We introduce a new tune each week, but we also regularly revisit tunes we’ve already learned so participants can become more comfortable playing them, deepen their understanding, and gradually build a repertoire they know well.

We’ll play each tune in a standard key, and you’ll receive the upcoming tune and key each Wednesday so you have time to prepare. Check the Learner’s Jazz Jam Schedule to see which tune we’re currently introducing and where we are in the season’s repertoire.

Our current repertoire includes:

1. Blue Bossa — C minor

2. Take the A Train — C

3. All of Me — C

4. Autumn Leaves — G minor

5. Sonnymoon for Two — B♭

6. Lester Leaps In — B♭

7. Little Sunflower — D minor

8. Tenor Madness — B♭

9. Cottontail — B♭

10. Fly Me to the Moon — C

11. Mr. P.C. — C minor

12. Rhythm-a-Ning — B♭

13. There Will Never Be Another You — E♭

14. All Blues — G

15. Oleo — B♭

16. Alice in Wonderland — C

17. Billie’s Bounce — F

The repertoire is designed to give players experience with a variety of jazz standards, blues forms, and rhythm changes, while giving everyone a manageable group of tunes to work on over time.

The best way to prepare is to listen to the tune before you come. At minimum, familiarize yourself with the recording and the standard key listed on our repertoire list. Keep in mind that some jazz standards are commonly played in multiple keys.

Listening to multiple versions of the tune is always a good idea. It will help you become familiar with the melody, form, and different ways musicians approach the song.

For the Foundation Track, listening to the tune is generally enough preparation. For the Fast Track, players should make an effort to learn the melody independently, either by ear or using a lead sheet.

If you want or need a lead sheet, please bring your own copy in the correct key, especially if you play a transposing instrument. We do not provide lead sheets. While you are welcome to use one as you’re learning, memorization is one of the goals of the program, and we’ll encourage you to move toward playing the repertoire from memory as you become comfortable with it.

Not yet—but you do need to be willing to try! Improvisation is a skill that's learned through experience, and the Learner's Jazz Jam is designed to be a supportive place to take those first steps.

Trying improvisation can look different for everyone. Some musicians may start by playing the melody, supporting the rhythm section, or taking just a few improvised notes before gradually building longer solos. Our coaches provide encouragement and practical guidance along the way, and it's okay if things don't go perfectly—that's part of learning. While you're always welcome to sit out a solo, we encourage everyone to challenge themselves and celebrate each step of growth.

Bring your instrument and anything you normally need to play! Here's what to expect:

• Pianists: We have keyboards on site, so you don't need to bring anything.

• Drummers: We provide a drum set. Please bring your own drumsticks.

• Horn players: Bring your instrument.

• Guitarists: Bring your guitar and an amplifier.

• Bassists: Electric bassists should bring their bass and an amplifier. Upright bassists are welcome to play acoustically.

• Vocalists: We provide microphones.

If you're unsure about what to bring or whether your setup will work, feel free to contact us before you come.

No. You're welcome to attend whenever your schedule allows. While we'll be building a shared repertoire over time, each session is designed so musicians can jump in wherever they are in the learning process.

We encourage regular attendance because seeing the same tunes multiple times is one of the best ways to build confidence, deepen your understanding of jazz standards, and gradually commit them to memory. But whether you come every week or just once in a while, you'll always be welcome.

Our studio is located at 1192 Wilmington Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. If it's your first visit, don't worry—many people have a hard time finding us!

The easiest way to find the studio is to start at Orangetheory Fitness in Sugar House. From there, head east down the alley immediately north of Orangetheory. It may look like there aren't any businesses back there, but keep walking. You'll find the AMP entrance on the right-hand side, marked with a sign on the door and an accessibility ramp.

If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to reach out—we're happy to help you find us.