Stay at Home Session – Bass Panel


We convened a conclave of local bassists to give the lowdown on all things bass. Check out Aaron Brenton joined by John Christensen, Ben Ferris, Laurie Lang, and Mike Hill. Thanks to all involved! During the coronavirus pandemic, MJJ is presenting…

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Stay at Home Session – Chris Rottmayer with Aaron Brenton


On May 13, 2020 we basked in the brilliance of Chris Rottmayer. Catch a glimmer here! Thanks to Chris and our own Aaron for making us better musicians! During the coronavirus pandemic, MJJ is presenting FREE weekly “MJJ Stay At Home” sessions with…

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Stay at Home Session – Joey B. Banks with Aaron Brenton


Thanks to special guest, drummer Joey B. Banks, and our own Aaron Brenton for a killer "MJJ Stay At Home" session on April 29, 2020! Joey shared great advice on being a professional musician and playing his specially selected tune of the week.…

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Stay at Home Session – Dan Wallach with Aaron Brenton


  In our inaugural Stay at Home Session, bassist Aaron Brenton interviews the one and only Dan Wallach on his life in jazz. Dan then teaches a lesson on our tune of the week, "Autumn Leaves." Thanks to Dan and Aaron for enlightening us!

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Mar. 11 – Laurie Lang 5-6PM MJJ Workshop Session


  "Successfully sitting in at a Jazz Jam" Wednesday, March 11, 2020   In this session Laurie Lang will teach how to successfully sit in at a jazz jam.   Please come with your instrument and/or voice. We will review and play around…

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Nov. 13 – John Christensen 5-6PM MJJ Workshop Session


John Christensen also attended this improvisation intensive in August in NYC and he will teach from his perspective ways to approach improvisation-- DON'T miss-- mark your calendars for November 13 and be ready to hit and learn at 5PM sharp!……

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October 9, Wednesday, 5-6PM David Cooper “How to open up your improvisation and energize your practice regimen”


Dave Cooper, after attending a 2-week improvisation intensive in New York City (SIM), would like to explore rethinking and assessing how we actually practice jazz improvisation. This will give you other ways to think of improvisation and re-ignite…

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Fall MJJ Workshops 2nd Wednesdays 5-6pm at Common Ground


Take a group lesson in jazz improvisation. OMJ has merged with Madison Jazz Jam with a new look and new energy! The regular Jazz Jam will continue the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month from 6-9PM at Common Ground Middleton Workshops will teach…

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Session 5/5 – Last Summer OMJ/MJJ workshop


Summer OMJ Session #5: Wednesday, August 28:  Workshop 4-6pm & Jam 6:30-9pm  WORKSHOP 4:00 - 6:00pm - Educator: Rick Flowers  (drummer/multi-instrumentalist)https://www.facebook.com/rick.flowers1 Theme of the Day: It's All about GROOVE!…

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OMJ Summer Session 4/5 -Wednesday, August 14- Workshop: 4-6pm Jam: 6:30-9pm


Session 4, August 14, 4-6pm, Wednesday Workshop Educator:  Lynette Margulies (vocal/vocal & instrumental improvisation) https://www.facebook.com/lynette.margulies Lynette will explore using your "voice" and how to find your spot in a jazz…

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Session 3 – July 24 – with UW professor, Johannes Wallmann – song: Horace Silver’s “The Preacher”


Johannes Wallmann will teach the session Wednesday, July 24th 4-6:30pm SUMMER WEDNESDAY FORMAT  WORKSHOP 4:00 - 6:00pm  What to expect in each session: (located upstairs room at Common Ground Middleton) Bring your voice and/or instrument. If you…

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Session 2 – July 10 – 4-6pm All the Things You Are with Chance Stine


SUMMER WEDNESDAY FORMAT:  WORKSHOP 4:00 - 6:00pm; $25 Fee (includes dinner) pay here (discount) SHOWCASE & JAM 6-9pm – FREE & open to all What to expect in each session: (located upstairs room at Common Ground Middleton) Bring your voice…

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Session 1: Wednesday, June 26 – Tenor Madness- Dan Wallach


Session 1: Wednesday, June 26: Educator: Dan Wallach  (saxophone/ Edgewood Professor) https://music.edgewood.edu/People/Faculty-and-Staff/Daniel-Wallach Theme of the Day: Diggin’ into the Blues/Tenor Madness SIGN UP NOW: Pay Here for Workshop Summer…

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5 Summer Group Jazz Improvisation Lessons – sign up now for 1 or all 5


5 Sessions: June 26, July 10 & 24, August 14 & 28 SIGN UP NOW: 2019 OMJ Workshop, Jam and Showcase - Summer Group Jazz Improvisation Lessons 4-6pm, Wednesdays at Common Ground & 6-9 Showcase & Jam  For weekly updates follow this…

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Isthmus Jazz Festival/OMJ Showcase, this Wednesday, 6-9PM Common Ground


The local students of SPHS and MHS who went to Essentially Ellington in NYC this May will be featured completely this whole night of music 6-9pm with their self directed combos. Come hear some amazing playing!

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Summer Workshops: June 26, July 10 & 24, August 14 & 28 at Common Ground


2019 OMJ Workshop, Jam and Showcase  Summer Group Jazz Lessons 4-6pm, Wednesdays at Common Ground  June 26, July 10 & 24, August 14 & 28   2019 Theme: Learning to Improvise While Learning a song   June 26: Educator: Dan Wallach…

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JUNE 12th, Wednesday 6-9pm OMJ Showcase & Jam features Beloit, Middleton & Sun Prairie Essentially Ellington Combos


This post will feature the Sun Prairie Combo lead by Oliver Gomez  Chai Devlin- Trombone Chai Devlin plays trombone and has been playing since 6th grade. He is from Sun Prairie and goes to the Sun Prairie High School. He has been out to New York…

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Isthmus Jazz Festival & OMJ Showcase/Jam – June 12, 6-9pm at Common Ground


As part of the week long Isthmus Jazz Festival the Essentially Ellington Combos of Sun Prairie HS and Middleton HS will perform a showcase concert on June 12 6-8pm and will lead a student jam for all middle and high school students 8-9pm

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May 22 – Wednesday, 6:30-9pm OMJ Jam at Common Ground


Listen, play, hang-- jazz night at Common Ground-- Good Friends, Good food, good drinks even on a Wednesday. Join us.  Houseband: Tony Barba- sax, Dave Stoler - piano, Chris Sandoval - drums, Laurie Lang - bass

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OMJ Jam and Showcase – cancelled for May 8th — we will resume May 22


On Sunday, May 5th you can attend the Madison Jazz Jam from 4-7pm and work out your improvisation there that week. Jazz @ 5  

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