The Teagarden Jazz Festival

Jazz with Personality

Saturday February 6th, 2027

The joy of early New Orleans-style jazz is at the heart of this scholastic combo festival, which is dedicated to fostering a better appreciation of this classic American art form.

Each year, scores of young musicians gather at the annual Teagarden Jazz Festival for experiences that take their musical skills to the next level. The 2026 event featured 30 youth jazz bands from around northern California. Next year marks the 20th Anniversary of the festival, and we are pleased to announce that our Guest Clinician will be trumpeter/vocalist/songwriter Bria Skonberg from New York City.

Who Can Perform in the Festival?

The Teagarden Jazz Festival is open to all small ensembles of 4-9 musicians (up to 12 for brass bands with a max of 7 horns) performing at a time.  In addition to school bands, all festival divisions also include jazz combos & New Orleans-style brass bands from: 

• Self-directed student bands
• Private music teachers
• Non-profit community organizations
• Community bands
• Jazz Club/Societies

Small Ensembles will be accepted regardless of experience in the following categories:

• Elementary/Middle School
• High School 
• College

Festival Format

Each group will spend 45 minutes with three clinicians. Clinicians will provide feedback of your performance of three tunes (lead sheets) with the option of spending a portion of the clinic teaching your group a jazz composition totally by ear, focusing upon aural training and improvisation. If you have nothing prepared to bring to The Teagarden Jazz Festival, you can have your clinicians introduce your ensemble to a selection of lead sheets of your choice (bring with you) or spend your entire session on aural training and improvisation.

Band Registration Information

Registration for the 2027 Opens Monday August 31, 2026.