Jazz Festival
Welcome to Central Coast Jazz Festival (CCJF)
2026 Jazz Festival March 13 - 14
The Central Coast Jazz Festival (CCJF) is a competitive jazz festival hosted by Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo for Middle School, High School and College/University Big Bands and Combos.
Better every year! We're excited to host a full scale festival with multiple guest artists, clinics, concerts and great judges.
Judges: We have a top rate judging panel and convenient on-stage clinics as we have done in the past. Schools and ensembles may register to be competitive, or just to gain the experience and receive feedback. All schools are welcome to attend the clinics and headliner concert.
Guest Artist and Clinician: We are having the amazing saxophone player Ernie Watts as our guest artist and clinician this year. He will be performing a Friday night show with our big band and giving clinics over the course of the two days. If you don't know Ernie, you should definitely check him out because many of your students may already be excited about his music.
In the navigation menu on the left you can get an application, and as the festival approaches, you will be able to see a schedule of bands. After the festival it will be possible to check back and see each band's scores.
Jazz at Cuesta College
Cuesta College has a long history of excellence in jazz education. We have students
transfer to some of the best jazz schools in the Western United States and many even
with scholarships!
Here are just a few of the reasons why a talented jazz student might consider starting
at Cuesta College:
-
- Award winning ensembles: a big band and eight combos!
- One of only two Jazz Studies AA programs in California!
- Free-private lesson program (Applied Music) for all music majors with professional musicians on all major instruments
- Amazing Recording Arts program and studio
- Substantial scholarships and the Cuesta Conservatory Award honors cohort
- Modern, beautiful sounding facilities
- Located right on Highway 1 between San Luis Obispo and beautiful Morro Bay
If you have any questions about Cuesta College or our festival, please don't hesitate
to contact me or our Division Assistant at (805) 546-3195.
Be sure to check out our Cuesta Music Homepage to see what is happening here at Cuesta.
Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you here.
Ron McCarley
Director of Jazz Studies/Festival Director
(805) 592-9545