Kyoto Jazz Immersion 2027
The Schedule
Saturday, September 18th – Sunday, September 26th, 2027
Day 1(Saturday, September 18th)
- Arrival in Kyoto
- Evening: Welcome dinner featuring traditional Kyoto cuisine
Day 2(Sunday, September 19th)
- Morning: Group breakfast.
- Masterclass for musicians – Jazz Rhythm Concepts + Jam Session.
- Afternoon: Picnic at Lake Biwa Canal and temple visit.
- Evening: Free Evening
Day 3(Monday, September 20th)
- Morning: Breakfast .
- Ensemble playing.
- Afternoon: Visit Awata Taisai Festival.
- Evening: Group dinner in Kyoto.
Day 4(Tuesday, September 21st)
- Morning: Music Session
- Afternoon: Optional visits to Hyakumanben Handicraft Market and the International Manga Museum.
- Evening: Dave performs with his group at Bochi Bochi ( optional)
Day 5(Wednesday, September 22nd)
- Morning: Master Class – Learning & Memorizing Jazz Language. Ensemble session.
- Afternoon: Visit to Shogunzuka, Honnouji, and/or Taimaji Temple. Show at GEAR Theater (optional).
- Evening: Dinner
Day 6(Thursday, September 23rd)
- Morning: Ensemble session.
- Lunch: Bento Box.
- Afternoon: Trip to Osaka – Sightseeing and exploring the city.
- Evening: Optional trip to Osaka at the jazz club Umeda Always, featuring a faculty performance and student jam session.
Day 7(Friday, September 24th)
- Morning: Rehearsal for musicians.
- Afternoon: Visit Okazaki Museum or shopping in Kyoto’s downtown area.
- Evening: Free Evening
Day 8(Saturday, September 25th)
- Morning: Breakfast and final preparations.
- Evening: Final concert. Venue to be announced soon. Post-concert celebration to follow.
Day 9(Sunday, September 26th)
- Morning: Farewell breakfast
- Departure: Check out and transfer to the airport.
Arrive Early: Tea Plantation Excursion
If you would rather not step off a long flight straight into your first masterclass, you can arrive in Kyoto on Thursday, September 16th, two days ahead of the program. Those first days are yours — to shake off the journey, adjust to the time difference, and start finding your bearings in the city. Then on Friday, September 17th, the early-arrival group sets out together for a day in the tea-growing hills south of Kyoto: walking the terraced rows, learning how the leaf is grown, picked and finished by hand, and tasting it at the source. You will be back in Kyoto that evening, rested and settled, in time to meet everyone else at the welcome dinner that opens the program on Saturday, September 18th. The early-arrival add-on is $850 per person and includes two additional nights of accommodation, the tea plantation excursion and transport, and all meals from your arrival through the start of the program.
PRICING
Workshop Participants
Prices are per person and include accommodations, all musical activities,
group meals, and excursions.
| Room Type | Single Occupancy (USD) | Double Occupancy (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Room | $3,696* | N/A |
| Double Room | $3,976* | $3,296* |
| Deluxe Double Room | $4,296* | $3,596* |
Guests Not Attending the Workshop
Includes accommodations, group meals, and scheduled excursions. Music sessions are not included.
* Rates subject to change if the Yen is over 0.0065
| Room Type | Single Occupancy (USD) | Double Occupancy (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Room | $3,096* | N/A |
| Double Room | $3,396* | $2,796* |
| Deluxe Double Room | $3,796* | $3,096* |
Our Hosts
Nori and Fumi are jazz enthusiasts based in Kyoto, Japan. They’ve participated in New York Jazz Workshop programs in Italy and Brazil, building connections within the jazz community.
As owners of a jazz café and studio in Kyoto, they’ve created a space where music and Japanese tradition come together. Their knowledge of both jazz and Kyoto’s cultural landscape make them the perfect guides for visiting musicians.
Nori and Fumi look forward to welcoming jazz students to Kyoto this September, helping create an experience that combines jazz education with cultural exploration. Their connections to local musicians, historic sites, and hidden spots will give participants the chance to develop their musical skills while experiencing the beauty and traditions of one of Japan’s most important cultural cities.
What You Can Expect
Included
Not Included
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to go beyond the classroom and immerse yourself into a culture that has inspired artists for centuries. You’ll not only improve your musical skills but also gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, leaving Kyoto with unforgettable memories and lifelong connections.
Ready to Join?
Secure your spot today! and be part of an unparalleled jazz experience in one of the world’s most enchanting cities.
Course Only
The course-only option is available for music students aged 17 to 99 who wish to attend the jazz sessions and final concert with American jazz teachers. The program focuses on jazz ensemble playing, melody, rhythm, harmony, and improvisation. The cost for the course-only option is 160,000 yen. A submission of a jazz standard recording on your instrument of choice is required for admission.
コースのみ
このコースは、アメリカ人ジャズ講師とのジャズセッションおよび最終コンサートに参加を希望する日本の音楽学生(17歳から99歳)向けのものです。 プログラムでは、ジャズのアンサンブル演奏、メロディー、リズム、ハーモニー、即興演奏に焦点を当てています。 コースのみの参加費は160,000円です。 参加には、お好きな楽器で演奏したジャズ・スタンダードの録音提出が必要です。