2026 Lineup / ASML Next Gen Stage at SJMA

The Regional All-Star ensembles bring together talented students from across Monterey County, testing their chops on the bandstand while sharing great jazz with the community.

The Regional All-Star ensembles bring together talented students from across Monterey County, testing their chops on the bandstand while sharing great jazz with the community.

With a dynamic lineup spanning generations—ages 8 to 80—the extraordinary Jazz Education Ensemble proves that great music transcends all ages. Since 2015, they have wowed festival crowds and concertgoers with their electrifying performances, where young prodigies hold their own alongside seasoned jazz veterans.

The SJZ High School All Stars is a regional, audition-based music education program for students interested in the study and performance of jazz. The program includes a large ensemble and a combo.

Join a house band made up of alums from the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars U19s for a free, youth-focused community jazz jam during the Fest. If you’re 21 and under, bring your instrument and sign up for a slot. Or just take a break from the heat and listen as future jazz stars show you how it’s done.

Mr. Clifford’s Young Jazz All Stars, directed by musician and educator “Mr. Clifford” Samoranos, is the youngest group of gifted musicians presented by San Jose Jazz — a next-generation ensemble that embodies the enduring American legacy of jazz.

The East Bay Jazz High School All-Stars is a pre-professional music academy for high school jazz musicians. Its two ensembles — big band and combo — rehearse weekly and perform frequently from January through June under the direction of Spencer Sussman.

Demo 3 is a self-organized, youth jazz combo with fresh energy fueled by vintage spirit. They are comprised of dedicated high school musicians from the Sacramento area and have a deep respect for jazz. They are passionate about contributing to the rising youth jazz scene and can frequently be found sharpening their skills at jam sessions and playing at community events.

The San Jose Jazz Summer Camp Ensemble made up of some of the brightest high school talents from this year’s Summer Jazz Camp, held at Santa Clara High School.

The San Jose Youth Symphony (SJYS) Jazz Ensemble is a premier big band comprised of the Bay Area’s most dedicated young musicians. Led by acclaimed director Ricky Martinez, the ensemble delivers high-energy performances of sophisticated repertoire, ranging from traditional swing to contemporary video game music.