Jazz Workshops Return for 25th Year

Community Tradition Brings Professional Musicians into Schools for Week-Long Collaboration

The 2026 Wenatchee Jazz Workshop returns February 23-27, bringing six professional jazz musicians into Wenatchee and Eastmont schools for an immersive week of musical collaboration.

Now in its 25th year, the workshop was created by middle school band instructor Jeff Sandberg Sr. in 2001. What started as one professional musician working with students at one school has grown into a valley-wide program that transforms how students learn jazz.

Unlike traditional workshops, these professionals don't just lecture or perform. They sit among students all week long, playing alongside them, teaching the language and emotion of jazz, and preparing bands for end-of-week performances. Each pro works with a specific section—saxophone, trumpet, trombone, keyboards, bass, or percussion—across multiple schools.

All students in each school's jazz ensemble participate. No audition required.

The week culminates in two public concerts that showcase the results of this unique educational partnership:

**NIGHT WITH THE PROS**

Thursday, February 26 | 6:45 PM

Eastmont High School

Professional musicians and select students perform

Admission by donation

**JAZZNIGHTS CONCERT**

Friday, February 27 | 7:00 PM (doors at 6:30 PM)

Wenatchee High School

Full school ensembles perform with guest artists

Tickets: $15 | Livestreamed

The Wenatchee Jazz Workshop is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and funded by community donations, ticket sales, and support from Wenatchee and Eastmont school districts.

Buy tickets online or at the door

This is career-connected learning through music—where students don't just learn about jazz, they become jazz musicians for a week.