UPCOMING EVENTS
Selby Ave Jazz Fest Is This Saturday
Join us this Saturday for the 2024 Selby Ave Jazz Fest, presented for the first time by Walker|West! Cheer on local artists and the Walker|West All-Stars. This is a cost-free event that welcomes everyone. Expect a day filled with live music, tasty food, and endless fun. Discover more about this incredible event!
The Rondo Community Music Series is back with a vibrant lineup including 12 concerts, 3 thought-provoking panel discussions, and 2 venues – 760 Selby and moving soon to our new building at 650 Marshall.
This year, enjoy performances from your favorite artists and bands while discovering fresh new talent from the Rondo community. All events are free, but registration is required to reserve a spot as seating is limited.
Led by Walker|West founders, Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West
Join us as we sing well-loved, familiar songs. Open to singers of all ages and abilities. No registration required. Free and open to all!
Join us for an hour of singing w/ our older adult community.
Thursdays 11:00 am-12:00 pm at Selby Milton Victoria Apartments (852 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104)
For questions, contact the Program Director at lawrence@walkerwest.org
Monthly Jazz Jam Session
Join us for Walker|West Music Academy’s first monthly Jazz Jam Session on Thursday, September 19th from 6-8pm at 760 Selby Ave.The night will kick off with an opening set by one of our talented Youth Jazz Ensembles, then stick around for an open jam session hosted by Walker|West Teaching Artists. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just love jazz, come be part of this welcoming, creative community. All are welcome—let’s make some music together!
Experience Jazz Returns this October
This genre-bridging ensemble program is for aspiring musical artists with a desire to make music rooted in jazz, R&B, pop and hip hop to create and collaborate together “in the studio”! Open to instrumentalists, vocalists, rappers, poets, DJs, producers, and beat makers of all skill levels, grades 7-12! No prior jazz experience required. At Experience Jazz, students will get to
- Work directly with music professionals & recording engineers
- Broaden their repertoire and musical vocabulary
- Collaborate with musicians of different backgrounds
- Create & record original music in HSRA’s State-of-the-art “Studio 4″
Experience Jazz runs for 12 sessions on Saturdays October 12-January 25, culminating in a final performance.
WALKER|WEST PROGRAM UPDATES
Women in Jazz Initiative
Walker|West’s Women in Jazz Initiative is excited to announce program activities for the 2024–25 school year. These activities are designed to provide safe and supportive spaces for women, non-binary and trans players to play together, build connections, and increase confidence and belonging, while highlighting the contributions of women in jazz, and featuring women jazz artists in our community. Mark your calendars with year’s activities, we hope to see at an event!
2024-25 Program Dates
Oct 5, 2024 – She Rock Open Jam
Oct 7 – Jazz Workshop with Saxophonist Mary Petrich, 6:30-8:30pm @ Walker West. RSVP Here.
Nov 23, 2024 – Women in Jazz Workshop & Jam
Feb 22, 2025 – She Rock Open Jam (@ WW’s new building!) March 22, 2025 – Women in Jazz Workshop & Jam
April 12, 2025 – She Rock Open Jam
May 3, 2025 – Women in Jazz Workshop & Jam
Summer 2025 (Date TBD) – Women in Jazz Retreat
About WIJ Activities
- She Rock All-Ages Open Jam – Quarterly @ Walker|West Music Academy
- Women in Jazz Workshop & Open Jams – Quarterly @ Walker West Music Academy
- Women in Jazz Retreat – Summer 2025
- Women in Jazz Scholarships – Fall 2024/Summer 2025
- The Jazzwomen Collective (weekly ensemble) – Fall 2024/Spring 2025
- In-school Women in Jazz Combos – Fall 2024/Spring 2025 @ Area Schools
- Masterclasses with National Touring Women Jazz Artists
Women, Non-binary and Trans and gender expansive players are invited to participate. All welcome to attend.
Connect
Are you a young women, non-binary or trans student interested in studying Jazz at Walker|West? Contact Women in Jazz Initiative Program Director, Katia Cardenas at katia@walkerwest.org.
This work is funded in part by MHC with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. This work is also made possible thanks to a partnership with She Rock She Rock, a nonprofit music organization that has been educating women and gender expansive folks of all ages in rock and roll for over 15 years.
WALKER|WEST UPDATES
Highlights from LISTEN!
Listen! An Evening of Poetry and Music at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts was an unforgettable night where poetry and melody came together in a mesmerizing blend of sound and spoken word.
A stellar lineup of Twin Cities poets and spoken word artists—including Marie Chanté, Arleta Little, David Mendez, and many more—delivered captivating performances, while Walker|West’s own Kevin Washington and his talented ensemble elevated the evening with their rich musical accompaniment.
The diverse range of voices and sounds created a night of rhythmic expression that will be remembered as a highlight of the season. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this magical evening and huge thank you to the Saint Paul Almanac for this wonderful partnership. Happy 20th Anniversary!
Donate Empty Boxes
Walker|West is on the move and we need your help! Got any spare boxes lying around? We’d love to give them a new home! It’s a win-win, you declutter and we get to reuse and repurpose. Simply drop them off at 760 Selby Ave and you’ll be playing a huge part in making our move smooth and eco-friendly. We’re so grateful for your help during this exciting time.
Community Events
