Right now, Stage Time is focused on one thing and doing it well: our weekly Sunday jazz jam at The Hotel Leo, where young musicians share the stage with a house band of top veteran players. As our support grows, we want to bring that same experience to more young musicians in more ways. Every idea on this page comes back to the same mission: putting young players on stage with the best veteran musicians we can hire.
Where We Are Now
Every Sunday, aspiring musicians from middle school through college sit in with seasoned pros in front of a live audience. They learn to count off a tune, trade fours, come back in with the head, read the room, and recover from mistakes, the things no classroom can fully teach. Donations and grants pay the veteran musicians who make it possible.
What We'd Like to Do Next
Clinics and master classes. Bring in top professionals to teach, mentor, and share how they got where they are, from improvisation to running a band, working with venues, and being a professional on and off the stage.
More stages. Add jam sessions and student showcases at other Bellingham-area venues, each built around a house band of veteran players, so more young musicians get regular stage time.
Pros in the schools. Bring veteran musicians to local school music programs for workshops and performances with students, and invite those students to the jam.
What It Takes
Each of these depends on the same thing our jam does: hiring the best veteran musicians and working to pay them what they're worth. As funding grows, so does what we can offer. If you'd like to help us get there, your donation goes directly toward the professionals young players learn from.
Why It Matters
When young musicians learn from seasoned pros, the whole music community gets stronger. Players push each other to get better, share what they know, and take chances on stage. Audiences grow, and more people discover how much they enjoy live music. That's the kind of scene we want Bellingham to have for generations to come.
Have an Idea?
Everyone we've talked with about Stage Time, from venues and musicians to music lovers, has shared ideas for what we could do next. If you have one, or want to help make one happen, get in touch.
