Thursday, August 13
PYJO New Cats with The Shanghai Woolies
At McMenamins
Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd Ave
Doors 6:30pm Concert 7:30pm
Fall Session
- 2026
- 2026
Weekly Classes at Burlingame Space
Classes start the week of 9/21/2026
New Cats Big Band
Wednesdays 7:30-9pm
Sep 23 - Dec 2
Concert: Monday, Dec 7 Location TBA
Heritage Combo
Wednesdays 5:30-7pm
Sep 23 - Dec 2
Concert: Sunday, Nov 29 at BSpace 2 shows 6:45 & 8:15pm
Messengers Combo
Mondays 5:30-7pm
Sep 21 - Nov 30
Concerts: Saturday, Nov 7 at BSpace
Sunday, Nov 29 BSpace 2 shows 6:45 & 8:15pm
PYJO Next Gen Big Band
Thursdays 7:30-9pm
Sep 24 - Dec 3
Concert: Monday, Dec 7 Location TBA
Legacy Combo
Tuesdays 5:45-7:15pm
Sept 22 - Dec 1
Concerts: Saturday, Nov 7 at BSpace
Friday, Dec 4 at BSpace
BSpace Vanguard Combo
Mondays 7:30-9pm
Sep 21 - Nov 30
Concerts: Saturday, Oct 24 BSpace
Friday, Dec 4 at BSpace
Vanguard Big Band
Tuesdays 7:30-9pm
Sep 22 - Dec 1
Concerts: Sunday, Nov 15 Swing Dance with Shanghai Woolies
Monday, Dec 7 Location: TBA
Sep 21 - Nov 30
Sunday, Nov 29 BSpace 2 shows 6:45 & 8:15pm
Sep 24 - Dec 3
Sept 22 - Dec 1
Friday, Dec 4 at BSpace
Sep 21 - Nov 30
Concerts: Saturday, Oct 24 BSpace
Friday, Dec 4 at BSpace
Sep 22 - Dec 1
Concerts: Sunday, Nov 15 Swing Dance with Shanghai Woolies
Monday, Dec 7 Location: TBA
Summer Session
New Cats Summer (Intermediate)
Wednesdays 7:30-9pm
Jun 24 - Aug 12
Jazz Improv Bootcamp (Intermediate and Beyond)
Tuesdays 5:30-7pm
Jun 23 - Aug 11 (1/2 session is 4 classes-weeks of your choice)
Advanced Improv Concepts (Advanced to Professional)
PYJO alumni are encouraged to join
Tuesdays 5:30-7pm
Jun 23 - Aug 11
PYJO New Cats
An intermediate level class. Students of all ages with knowledge of scales and intermediate music reading skills are welcome. A great starting place for students new to the PYJO program and in their first years of Jazz and improvisation. We are always excited to add new musicians to the program. Students often spend 1-3 years in this class as they build their Jazz vocabulary skills.
If you are unsure which level is best, simply check in by email. If you want to learn, we want you to participate!
PYJO Messengers Combo
This is an upper intermediate to advanced class focused on Post Bebop era music. Students of all ages who have worked on multiple Jazz transcriptions, patterns in 12 keys, tunes with multi-key harmony, memorizing scales and have strong music reading skills are welcome. We are always excited to add new musicians to the program. If you are new to us, and unsure which level, simply check in by email to determine which class is best.*Please note that the Messengers combo requires instructor approval or audition.
PYJO Legacy Combo
This top level combo is advanced and open to all ages (typically upper high school to adult). Legacy Combo is the study of the Jazz combo legends. To be able to catch the vibes and textures of great combos such as Wayne Shorter or Miles Davis. Students should expect a deep study of solo transcriptions, groove mechanics, solo architecture, vocabulary in 12 keys and advanced improvisation concepts.
Placement or audition required. Please contact us if you are interested.
If you are unsure which level is best, simply check in by email. If you want to learn, we want you to participate!
PYJO Heritage Combo
This is an upper intermediate to advanced class focused on Bebop and Pre-bop era music. Students of all ages who are already working on Jazz transcriptions, melodies, memorizing scales and have strong music reading skills are welcome. We are always excited to add new musicians to the program. If you are new to us, and unsure which level, simply check in by email to determine which class is best.*Please note that the Heritage combo requires instructor approval or audition.
PYJO Next Gen Big Band
The Next Gen Big Band is a semi-professional Jazz big band. Comprised of top level high school, college & professional musicians. Excellent reading skills, solid improvisation abilities, great blendable tone and time feel are essential. Rehearsals move fast and regular practice commitments are expected. Music selections from the classics to modern big band.
We are always excited to add new musicians to the program. If you are new to us, and unsure which level, simply check in by email to determine which class is best.*Please note that the Next Gen Big Band requires instructor approval or audition.
BSpace Vanguard Combo
This top level combo is advanced to professional and open to all ages, but typically adults. Members are expected to be able to sightread charts with difficult chord changes and be able to work quickly through material. There is a strong focus on creativity, groove mechanics and communication. Expect repertoire such as Charles Mingus, Coltrane and modern composers. Solo concepts are advanced and presented quickly.
Placement or audition required. Please contact us if you are interested.
PYJO Vanguard members are a mixture of PYJO alumni, professionals, band directors, college students.
Portland Vanguard Big Band
Portland Vanguard Big Band is directed by Michelle and Ben Medler and has been performing around the Portland area for many years. This elite ensemble is comprised of professional musicians (a wonderful mixture of full-time performance artists, PYJO Alumni, band directors and private teachers) who are looking to study great big band music deeply. There is a strong focus on honoring the compositions while finding ways to creativly interpret their scores! Most members are strong soloists. Professional level reading skills are required. The Vanguard is known for tackling challenging big band music from a wide selection of composers and eras from the classics to modern. Rehearsals move fast and regular practice commitment is essential. This band has become an important establishment in Portland’s music scene. Everyone involved is inspired to grow musicaly, to learn new techniques and to pass the legacy and history of Big Band music on.
New Students
LEARN to PLAY it, HEAR it, TEACH it!
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Easy Registration here!!
Beyond just musicians, PYJO alumni have branched out to many fields in music: College music professors, ethnomusicologists, radio hosts, band directors, private music instructors, touring musicians, L.A. studio musicians, composers, arrangers, booking agents, software developers, bandleaders, studio engineers & more. Not to mention the doctors, rocket scientists & others who still play music to relax!
"Ben, I wanted to let you know that Noah is doing great at UW(ashington). He has so much confidence performing thanks to you and Michelle. You really changed his life and we are all very grateful." Lissa K.-PYJO Parent
Links to Videos and mp3 of PYJO bands, summer bands, combos etc.
Concerts, Rehearsals, Lessons, Recitals & Meeting Space. Rental Available!
Click here for current concert info.
All Levels - Beginners to Professionals!
Founded The Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2001.
