The SwingMasters Big Band is organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. In addition to performing at charitable events, we contribute our talents and knowledge to our community by supporting the development of young musicians in big band jazz music.
Swingmasters has sponsored a jazz improvisation workshop for El Camino High School students for over seven years. We bring in respected local jazz artists and educators to give the students a taste of jazz theory. Play-along is an important part of these classes, giving the students a chance to work out some jazz changes and phrases.
In 2016, Swingmasters joined with the Sacramento Youth Band and dancers from MidTown Stomp to rehearse and present a swing dance demonstration concert at El Camino High School. Young musicians from the greater Sacramento region “sat-in” with our band, and were featured in vocal and instrumental solos.
Many of the members of the band have been (and still are) music educators who teach and support the next generation of jazz musicians. Several members reach out to young people as well, mentoring at local high schools and at American River College.
The SwingMasters Musical Director Emeritus, Warner Seargeant, remains an active, contributing member of the ECArts project, which broke ground the Summer of 2017 and will provide a 500-seat Performing Arts Center on the El Camino campus.