2026 Detroit Jazz Workshop

Our registration window is wide open! There is room for adult / high school, and middle school instrumentalists for our workshop at the MSU Center in Midtown Detroit, and vocalists for our vocal jazz workshop at Music Hall, Downtown Detroit, this January.

Whatever your instrument, age (10-100), and experience level, there is a place for you or your music student.

Enroll now!

Welcome to the Detroit Jazz Workshop

The Detroit Jazz Workshop (DJW) is your chance to learn from some of the region’s finest jazz educators in a fun, supportive, and immersive week-long experience each July.

NEWS:

2026 Workshop "Full" instruments

Middle School and High School/Adult Piano

Middle School and High School/Adult Drums

Middle School Bass

High School/Adult Alto Sax

Vocalists in Vocal Jazz Workshop

There is still room for middle school guitarists. If you are an interested middle, adult or high school instrumentalist or vocalist, please strongly consider placing your name and contact info on our wait-list and we will immediately contact you if there is opening. Thank you! 

Instrumental Summer Jazz Week 17

For high schoolers, adults, and middle schoolers
Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 10
10:00am – 3:15pm

Location: Michigan State University Building, 3408 Woodward Ave., Midtown Detroit (just south of Mack Ave)

Students participate in daily improvisation classes, combo rehearsals, and clinics with guest artists. Two combo performances will follow the workshop on Sunday, July 12 and Monday, July 13—details coming soon.

Vocal Summer Jazz Week 17

For high schoolers to adults (experienced middle schoolers considered)
Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17
1:00pm – 5:00pm

Location: Music Hall Performing Arts Center, 350 Madison St., Detroit

This vocal program features its own guest artists, specialized classes, and a student performance on Sunday, July 19th.

About the Detroit Jazz Workshop

The DJW faculty consists of top professional musicians and respected university instructors. We welcome students of all ages, instruments, backgrounds, and experience levels—including vocalists and non-traditional instruments.

Students create their own schedule with guidance from our faculty and choose from four levels of instruction:
Beginner • Beginner/Intermediate • Intermediate • Advanced

All students also participate in a jazz combo matched to their experience level.

Registration & Tuition

Enrollment is first-come, first-served. Reserve your spot with a $100 non-refundable registration fee via PayPal or check. This is due immediately.

Tuition is $449, due July 1.

After registering, students will complete a background form to help us place them in the appropriate level combos and classes.

Facilities & Amenities

MSU Building (Adult, High School, Middle School Instrumental Week)

• Modern, clean rehearsal rooms

• Secure, overnight storage for instruments

• Parent waiting area overlooking Woodward Ave

• Free adjacent parking structure

• Vending machines available

• Lunchtime student jam sessions

Music Hall (Vocal Week)

• Excellent rehearsal spaces and stage access

• Free adjacent parking lot

• Professional-level facilities

• Professional accompaniment 
• Private lessons with top vocal jazz educators
• Multi-level classes for both new and experienced vocalists

Student Performances

Instrumental students will perform with their workshop combos at a Detroit jazz club on the evenings of Sunday July 12 and Monday July 13, showcasing their progress for family and friends.

Vocal students will perform at Aretha's Jazz Cafe on Sunday, July 19th, singing solo songs, backed by a professional rhythm section.

Why Choose DJW?

With a 17-year track record, the Detroit Jazz Workshop is one of the Midwest’s premier programs for developing jazz musicians. Whether you’re taking your first step, reconnecting with creativity, or preparing for the next professional level, DJW offers a welcoming path forward.

Please explore our website for testimonials, photos, videos, and information about past guest artists. For questions, contact us through the website.

Looking forward to working with you or your student!
Scott and Delaine Gwinnell
Creators and Co-Directors, Detroit Jazz Workshop

Who Can Take Part in the Detroit Jazz Workshop?

The Detroit Jazz Workshop welcomes musicians of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, including:

• High school students

• Middle school students

• College students

• Working professionals from any musical genre

• Amateur and retired musicians

• Traditional jazz instrumentalists (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, drums, etc.)

• Non-traditional instrumentalists (violin, flute, clarinet, guitar, tuba, etc.)

• Vocalists, with or without jazz experience (additional vocal offerings expanding in 2026+)

• Musicians interested in composition and arranging

• Students with no prior jazz experience

• Experienced jazz students and aspiring professionals

• Jazz musicians interested in networking and artistic growth

Why Choose the Detroit Jazz Workshop Over Other Programs?

• Convenient for SE Michigan residents—no long travel or overnight stay required

• Half-day schedule gives students flexibility to live their lives while attending

• Affordable for locals with no room and board costs

• Modern facilities in the MSU–Detroit Building, including smart boards and upgraded rooms

• Drums, pianos, and keyboards provided for student use

• Secure overnight storage for large instruments such as basses

• Prime Detroit location in the heart of the city’s jazz history

• Free, secure parking at both locations

• Restaurants, markets, and coffee shops within easy walking distance

• Comfortable parent waiting area overlooking Woodward Avenue

• One of Michigan’s largest and most experienced jazz faculty

• All instructors are active jazz musicians, bringing real-world expertise

• Top regional guest clinicians inspire and motivate students each year

We are taking enrollment applications! Visit back often for news on 2026 guest master-clinicians, schedule of classes, and other exciting news!

The Detroit Jazz Workshop has been featured on:

TESTIMONIALS:

STUDENTS, WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE Detroit Jazz Workshop?

-I enjoyed being able to talk to the faculty individually and there being enough free time for them to allow those types of one-on-ones. - Professional bassist

-Listening to really good musicians play.- High school trumpeter

-I honestly had such an amazing week.  I went to a camp at a university for saxophone last year and did not gain nearly as much knowledge there as I did in the just the first day of MDJW.  I loved the master clinic with Damani Phillips.  It was great to meet him and network a little bit. Skip Norris was fantastic also.  I also loved how we could decide which classes to go to for improv and theory because I am somewhere in the middle of advanced and intermediate-it was perfect for me to customize my own schedule.  Speaking of which, I loved Miles Brown's lectures on Free Improv-I gained so much knowledge from those sessions. Scott Gwinnell’s theory classes really helped me visualize the basics of jazz theory that I have never really been taught before.  Overall I am so happy I did this, I am so excited to use the tools I learned and become an even better jazz musician.

- College jazz studies alto saxophonist

-Meeting new friends with similar interests. - Amateur adult guitarist

-So many good vibes! Nothing but that! - High school bassist

-Talking with staff, especially Wayne State University faculty.  Motivated me to register for some classes there. - Amateur adult drummer

-The mix of ages and levels of the participants and the accessibility of the instructors.  Great variety of subject matter to choose from.

- Amateur adult electric bassist

-There is not enough space to go into all of the things I enjoyed about the workshop.  Suffice to say I had very high expectations that were exceeded ten fold!  The faculty were encouraging, helpful, extremely knowledgeable and very accessible. I was humbled by all I don't know and inspired to work harder for next summer's session. I leave the workshop reinvigorated to step outside of my comfort zone and just go for it.  Very special thanks for Delaine Gwinnell for all her incredible hard work and terrific attitude, she was the glue that held everything together. - Amateur adult electric bassist

-It was a real learning experience. - Amatuer adult pianist

-Learning chords and how they can be applied to solos.

- High school alto saxophonist

-My combo, instruction by Russ Miller, master classes.

- Amateur adult baritone saxophonist

-The incredible information that the instructors shared as well as the opportunity to listen to the musicians and to play. - Amateur adult flutist

-My teachers were fun and knew what they were doing. Jordan Schug and John Hill were great. Legitness was legit. - Middle-school guitar student

-I have to say.....what I enjoyed most was singing at Cliff Bell's.  For me, as a professional wanna be,  I feel it is an honor and a thrill not only to sing.....but to be accompanied by the finest musicians in the metro Detroit area!

- Amateur adult vocalist

-As for the overall structure of the workshop, I like the way classes were set up according to level....blue, green, red...making it easier to make the best choice for ourselves.   Also, having the option to move to another class if we feel it necessary is good. - High school pianist

-I enjoyed the instrument classes the most because it gave the most information and taught me the most about how to better play jazz throughout the week.

- Amateur adult bassist

Teaching, working with April Tini, working with the students, being around Scott and Delaine Gwinnell, and meeting such wonderful musicians.  I can't thank you enough for including me.  Needless to say I would LOVE to do it again next year!!! - Professional vocalist

-I got great exposure to jazz.  Instructors and fellow students were  consistently  helpful and supportive.  I was poorly prepared for playing my instrument at the level required,  This didn't seem to matter to anyone.  i got great tips on how to practice and become more proficient before Jazz Week VIII.  I thoroughly enjoyed interacting, musically and in conversation, with the faculty and fellow students. thanks for the experience! - Adult amateur acoustic bassist

-I'm very frugal with spending money for music education.  I could have gone 2 hours a day instead of 7 and still got my money's worth.  I look for blind spots -- areas that I never considered studying because I did not know they existed.  It is also very useful to be reminded of lessons that I've neglected from the past.

- Adult amateur electric bassist

-Being surrounded by such knowledgeable teachers who were so open about sharing info.  There was no feeling of competition or winning and losing.  We all get enough of that on the outside, so it was refreshing to have a break from it.  That said, there was still a feeling that everyone was trying to do their best, and this came as a result of the respectful encouragement of the staff.

- Professional vocalist

-I can't say enough good things about this experience. Scott and Delaine you are treasures for our Detroit music community. Thank you! - Professional harpist

-Playing with and hanging out with the other guys in my combo - High school alto saxophonist

-(I enjoyed) Playing the drum set. - High school drummer

-(I enjoyed the) Master classes. - Retired professional electric bassist

-I loved how much the vocal workshop has grown over the years. This time, we had a pretty large group and many awesome singers. We also had more time to work with the vocal instructors this year. This was very helpful in the development of each of the singers. - College vocal music student

-Meeting some really cool pros and future pros and feeling more confident playing in front of heavy players. - College jazz studies major, drummer

-Terrific program. I have enough material to practice until next year.

- Amateur adult alto saxophonist

-What I enjoyed most about the workshop was playing in the Jobim combo.

- High school drummer

-The amazing professors and musicians helping there. - High school euphonist

- (I enjoyed) Russ Miller's teaching. - Amateur adult alto saxophonist

- I enjoyed working with the vocalists every day and helping them achieve their personal goals. April Tini and Susan Tobocman were very accommodating and complimented each other well. They both have more than enough experience, but it is different from each side. Susan comes from a very performance based education, while April comes from a traditional music education background and teaching background. Susan helped students express themselves while April made sure that they could communicate well on the bandstand. These are all very valuable for singers just starting out. - College jazz studies student, vocalist

- Playing and connecting with jazz musicians from all over Michigan and the country. - High school drummer

-In general, it was really inspiring to be immersed in jazz for a week and to meet more professional musicians and fellow students. A couple highlights for me include participating in the master-class with Chris Buzzelli and the green composition class when we experimented with each other's original ideas. I also really enjoyed Russ Miller's simple structures class. I feel like there's enough for a lifetime in each one of those sessions.

- College student of another major, guitarist.