Customized Jazz Workshops & Retreats for 

The Pacific Rim Jazz Retreat for Community Big Bands is a customizable jazz workshop experience designed specifically for adult jazz ensembles, community big bands, and lifelong musicians who want to grow musically while enjoying the beauty and culture of Maui.

Whether your ensemble is a developing community band or a regional jazz organization looking for a unique destination experience, the Pacific Rim Jazz Retreat offers a flexible format tailored to the goals and needs of your band.

Unlike traditional festivals or one-size-fits-all camps, the Pacific Rim Jazz Retreat can be customized to fit your ensemble’s priorities, experience level, and musical interests.

We can tailor the retreat to include:

• Big band rehearsals
• Jazz combo coaching
• Sectionals & instrument masterclasses
• Improvisation workshops
• Sight-reading sessions
• Jazz history & listening sessions
• Director coaching
• Guest artist rehearsals
• Public performances
• Jam sessions
• Social events & cultural experiences

Each participating band works directly with our faculty to create a workshop schedule that best supports the musical and social goals of the ensemble.

This retreat is ideal for:

• Community big bands
• Adult jazz ensembles
• Municipal & civic jazz bands
• Military alumni groups
• Senior jazz ensembles
• Recreational jazz musicians
• Lifelong learners returning to music

Participants range from experienced semi-professional musicians to dedicated hobbyists who simply love playing jazz.

One of the highlights of the retreat is our unique Salt & Pepper Clinic format.

Community musicians rehearse side-by-side with professional jazz artists on the same instrument, creating a collaborative rehearsal experience focused on:

• Ensemble communication
• Style & phrasing
• Improvisation
• Rhythm section interaction
• Tone & articulation
• Professional rehearsal techniques

These sessions provide direct mentorship while allowing musicians to experience the sound and feel of performing within a professional-caliber ensemble.

Focused instruction on:

• Swing feel
• Section blend
• Articulation
• Dynamics
• Sight-reading
• Interpretation of classic and contemporary charts

Smaller ensemble experiences emphasizing:

• Improvisation
• Listening
• Group interaction
• Rhythm section communication
• Jazz standards

Clinicians provide focused instruction on:

• Tone production
• Technique
• Practice concepts
• Jazz phrasing
• Improvisation vocabulary
• Historical approaches to each instrument

Faculty guide participants through important recordings and jazz styles while discussing:

• Jazz history
• Influential artists
• Arranging styles
• Big band traditions
• Contemporary jazz developments

Performances & Evening Events

Participants enjoy:

• Faculty Combo Concerts
• Community Jam Sessions
• Beachside Social Gatherings
• Participant Showcase Performances
• Professional Big Band Festival Concerts

Featured professional performances may include the Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine and guest artists from Hawai‘i and the mainland.

Maui provides a unique atmosphere for music-making and community building:

• Oceanfront rehearsal spaces
• Relaxed island setting
• Inspiring scenery
• Opportunities for group excursions
• Destination experience for musicians and families

Bands may choose to combine the workshop with:

• Group vacations
• Cultural tours
• Sunset cruises
• Local performances
• Educational outreach opportunities

Community bands can participate in:

• Weekend retreats
• 3-day intensives
• Weeklong workshops
• Performance-focused residencies
• Customized destination festivals

Programs can be adapted for:

• Skill level
• Ensemble size
• Musical style
• Educational focus
• Social/community goals

• Bring Your Band to Maui
• Where Community Jazz Meets the Spirit of Hawai‘i
• A Jazz Retreat Designed Around Your Ensemble
• Play, Learn, and Connect in Paradise
• Experience the Spirit of Jazz on the Soul of Maui

PRICING

Workshop Prices:

Student Workshop Tuition  

$250 per person (director included), 18 person minimum

Backline Gear provided:

-Drum Kit, Upright Bass, Keyboards

-Keyboard, Guitar & Bass Amps

Public Concert Tickets - $35 

For Individual Musicians:

Individual Classes available