CURRENT STUDENTS: With the passing of the final, in-person audition date (on Nov. 26th), we have now reached the end of the "open" audition period for 2024-25 VJC ensembles. However, the application & audition window will remain open only for instruments on which we still have need (within a particular group). Here are the slots that remain open for application/audition...
• VJC Indigo Big Band (Tuesday evenings at Ravenscroft):
No openings at this time.
• VJC Cerulean Combo (Thursday evenings at Ravenscroft):
No openings at this time.
• VJC Sapphire Big Band (Saturday mornings at MCC's PAC):
Trumpets (2), Trombone (1), Guitar (1)
Please reach out to the VJC Director with questions or apply HERE.
EDUCATORS: Check out the Flexible Instrumentation Big Band charts from VJC Publications. And hear this great new music on our YouTube channel. VJC Publications offers flex. charts that don't compromise. These are exceptional investments for your ensemble library: Great charts to have during your program's robust years...and total lifesavers during the occasional lean years, too. Please give them a look and a listen!
All new 2024 VJCP releases are $5.00 off through the end of the JEN Conference in January 2025! As a reminder, 100% of each purchase goes back into supporting the educational activities of the Valley Jazz Cooperative.
Want to find out how to get tickets for Valley Jazz Cooperative events? Watch for updates, below.
TICKETS
You'll find ticket information here when an event is scheduled. Stay tuned...
NEWS & EVENTS
Want to know what’s coming up for the Valley Jazz Cooperative? Or look over our recent activities?
You'll find all that information here, including news about upcoming events and ticket sales. Come back soon to check for updates! Contact Russ if you'd like to receive event notifications by email.
CALENDAR
Saturday, May 19, 2018
May 19 EVJC Concert
3 pm @ The Nash
EVJC Concert w/ VJC Senior Showcase
On Saturday, May 19th at 3:00 p.m., the East Valley Jazz Cooperative will perform its final concert for 2017-18 in downtown Phoenix at The Nash (110 E. Roosevelt St.). Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students, with proceeds from tickets sales going to support educational programs at The Nash. Visit the Nash web site to find more info about the event and to purchase tickets in advance.
The East Valley Jazz Cooperative, a 19-piece big band under the direction of Russell Schmidt, will share the program with select graduating members from both the EVJC and the West Valley Jazz Cooperative. These students will be featured in a Senior Showcase, where they will perform standards alongside professional jazz musicians. (These special guests will be announced at the event.)
Please join us as we bring the curtain down on this year’s great VJC activities!
Wednesday, May 09, 2018
May 9 WVJC Concert
7 pm @ Glendale Community College
WVJC Concert w/ City Jazz
On Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m., the West Valley Jazz Cooperative, currently a nonet comprised of high school students from Anthem, Glendale, and Peoria, will perform a free concert on the campus of Glendale Community College (6000 W. Olive Ave.). The event will take place in the GCC Music Department Lecture/Recital Hall (MU2-151) and will feature music by Tadd Dameron, Duke Ellington, and Oliver Nelson.
The WVJC will share the concert with City Jazz, a combo program led by pianist/educator Pam Morita. Additionally, GCC’s Director of Jazz Studies, Dave Schmidt, will take the stage for a portion of the program, performing with students and VJC Director Russell Schmidt.
We hope you will join us for this great evening of jazz!
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The concert is free and open to the public
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
April 18 EVJC & MCC Ensembles Concert
7 pm @ MCC Performing Arts Center
On Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., the East Valley Jazz Cooperative will open a jazz concert at the Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center (1520 South Longmore). The EVJC is privileged to share the stage for this event with the MCC Jazz Fusion Band and the MCC Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Paul Brewer. Tickets range in price from $6 to $8, and are available through the MCC Arts Events page.
Under the direction of Russell Schmidt, the EVJC big band performs both modern and classic jazz selections. Students in the EVJC come from nine different area junior high and high schools (in an educational program supported by MSW Ministries) to explore a common love for jazz and improvised music.
Please join us at MCC for an exciting and wide-ranging evening of music.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
April 14 EVJC & WVJC Festival Performances
4:15 pm & 5:45 pm @ Highland/ASU Jazz Festival
On Saturday, April 14, 2018, both Valley Jazz Cooperative ensembles will perform at the Highland/ASU Jazz Festival. The West Valley Jazz Cooperative will take the stage first, at 4:15 p.m., with the East Valley Jazz Cooperative performing shortly thereafter, at 5:45 p.m.
The students in both groups will receive feedback through adjudication comments and a follow-up clinic (immediately after each performance) by various, nationally prominent jazz educators. The Highland/ASU Jazz Festival is one of the leading events on the annual jazz education calendar in the state of Arizona. This year marks the first year that both the EVJC and the WVJC are performing at the festival.
There is no charge to view any of the bands competing each day during the three-day festival. There is a charge should you want to attend the finale concert that concludes the day’s events on Friday and Saturday.
You can find out more, including info on the guest artists, clinicians, and adjudicators, as well as how to purchase tickets for evening concerts, by visiting the Highland/ASU Jazz Festival web page. The event takes place in Gilbert at Highland High School (4301 E. Guadalupe Rd.).
Come on out to Gilbert, hear some great young musicians, and cheer for the students of the Valley Jazz Cooperative!
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
December 12 EVJC Combo Concert
7 pm @ Historic Irving Auditorium
EVJC Combo Concert
On Tuesday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m., the East Valley Jazz Cooperative Combo will share a concert with the Mountain View High School Jazz Combo (Adam Risch, Director). The performance will take place in Historic Irving Auditorium (115 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201). The concert is free and open to the public.
Currently an octet with students from seven different area schools, the EVJC Combo will perform music composed by Oliver Nelson and Duke Ellington. On behalf of the EVJC students, Valley Jazz Cooperative Director Russell Schmidt is grateful to Mr. Risch for inviting the group to join his own students at this Mountain View High School event.
We hope you will join us for this great night of jazz.
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The concert is free and open to the public
Sunday, December 03, 2017
December 3 EVJC returns to The NASH
3 pm @ The Nash
EVJC returns to The Nash
Click HERE for Advanced Tickets
The East Valley Jazz Cooperative returns to The Nash on Sunday, December 3rd for a 3:00 p.m. performance. In building new bridges with other area educational programs, the EVJC will share the billing with outstanding student performers from City Jazz (Pamela Morita, Director) and the Phoenix Conservatory of Music Jazz Ensemble (Dr. Ben Hedquist, Director).
The EVJC will perform music by Oliver Nelson and also debut a new composition by VJC Director, Russell Schmidt. Tickets for this event at The Nash (110 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, AZ 85004) are $5 for students (25 & under, w/ ID) and $10 for general admission.
Please come out to support all these talented young musicians.
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You can purchase advance tickets here
Sunday, May 07, 2017
MAY 3 UPCOMING EVJC & MCC Jazz Band Performance 05/03/17
7PM @ MCC Performing Arts Center Mesa AZ
The next performance by the East Valley Jazz Cooperative will take place at the MCC Performing Arts Center (1520 South Longmore, Mesa, AZ 85202) on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, @ 7:00 PM. The EVJC is privileged to share the stage at this event with the Mesa Community College Jazz Band, under the direction of Paul Brewer.
We hope you will join us for an exciting evening of classic and modern big band music.
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You can purchase advance tickets here.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Sat., Feb. 18th, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
MU-2, Room 152 (Band Room)
Feb. 18, Mar. 1 & Mar. 4th - 2017 Auditions being held for the first-ever WEST Valley Jazz Cooperative. Apply now for your February / March audition. Read the BLOG. Stay Tuned for Ensemble Updates!
The VJC: Explore your gifts. Find your passion.
Wednesday, March 01, 2017
Wed., Mar. 1st, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
MU-2, Room 151 (Lecture Hall)
Feb. 18, Mar. 1 & Mar. 4th - 2017 Auditions being held for the first-ever WEST Valley Jazz Cooperative. Apply now for your February / March audition. Read the BLOG. Stay Tuned for Ensemble Updates!
The VJC: Explore your gifts. Find your passion.
Saturday, March 04, 2017
Sat., Mar. 4th, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
MU-2, Room 152 (Band Room)
Feb. 18, Mar. 1 & Mar. 4th - 2017 Auditions being held for the first-ever WEST Valley Jazz Cooperative. Apply now for your February / March audition. Read the BLOG. Stay Tuned for Ensemble Updates!
The VJC: Explore your gifts. Find your passion.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
UPCOMING EVJC Combo Performance 11/30/16
7PM @ MCC Performing Arts Center Mesa AZ
East Valley Jazz Cooperative in a shared concert with the Mesa Community College Jazz Band at the MCC Performing Arts Center (1520 South Longmore, Mesa, AZ 85202). The EVJC will open the concert, performing music by John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, and Nat Adderley. Following an intermission, the MCC Jazz Band will take the stage, under the direction of MCC alum Paul Brewer.
Click image for Blog or
For more information about the performance or to purchase tickets ($6/$7/$8), visit the MCC events page here.
The concert is free and open to the public.