Didn’t see the finals live? Here’s what you missed!

To see all the band’s perform visit the SchoolJAMUSA YoutTube Page!

San Diego Teen Band ‘Jazz Avenue’ Named ‘Best Teen Band in the USA‘ in Third Annual SchoolJam USA Competition

Awarded with $5,000 for their Music Education Program, $1,000 in New Gear and a Professional Music Video Recording Session, Southern California Teens Head to Frankfurt, Germany to Headline Original SchoolJam Competition

Anaheim, Calif. – Jan. 23, 2012 –  A crowd of nearly 500 gathered at Downtown Disney District on Saturday, Jan. 21, for NAMM’s third annual SchoolJam USA, a national teen battle of the bands that rewards aspiring musicians and their respective school music education programs with more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. The event, produced by National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), took place during the world-famous NAMM Show held at the nearby Anaheim Convention Center.

Competing against seven other finalist bands from across the U.S., San Diego ensemble, Jazz Avenue, took first place for the coveted title of “Best Teen Band in the USA,” $5,000 for their school music education program, $1,000 toward the purchase of new band gear, a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, and a grand-prize trip of a lifetime to perform at the 2012 SchoolJam Germany finals in Frankfurt this March.

Describing how the band felt about sweeping the competition, saxophonist John Avery responded, “It’s beastly. All the bands were so good. It’s just ridiculously amazing that we won.”

The troupe’s music teacher, Tamara Paige, of San Diego’s School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA), was on hand to share in their win, commenting that the $5,000 prize will go a long way in the strengthening their music education program.

"Ranging from Jazz Fusion to Indie Rock to Hip Hop, this year produced the most diverse group of SchoolJam USA bands yet," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. "It’s abundantly clear that regardless of genre, kids are as passionate as ever about playing music and keeping school music programs alive, and NAMM is committed to offering avenues, such as SchoolJam USA, that provide teens with an outlet to express their musical creativity."

Teen Pop Sensation Greyson Chance and Singer/Songwriter Shaun Barrowes to Co-Emcee and Perform at NAMM's Third Annual SchoolJam USA Finals Event

Young Musicians and Celebrities Gather to Inspire New Players and Support School Music Programs

CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) today announced that teen pop sensation, songwriter, vocalist and pianist Greyson Chance and singer/songwriter Shaun Barrowes will co-host and perform at the third annual SchoolJam USA finals event. The teen battle of the bands competition will take place on Jan. 21 in Downtown Disney as part of the world-famous NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.

"I am honored to be a part of a program with NAMM that is encouraging students to grow their musical talents," said Chance. "Music is such an important part of my life and I am very excited to help shine the spotlight on some new talent – it's important to me to support programs like SchoolJam USA and foster ongoing music education."

Since his stirring performance of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" at his sixth-grade talent show was posted on YouTube and earned him national recognition as well as a record deal as the first signing to Ellen DeGeneres' record label eleveneleven, Chance has begun an extraordinary music career. In the last year, Chance has completed two North American tours, performed at the White House, the Campaign for Human Rights and Variety's Power of Youth benefit and has a recurring role on the hit FOX comedy series Raising Hope. The fourteen-year old's debut album Hold on 'Til the Night, was released earlier this year and has garnered critical acclaim.

Former season-seven "American Idol" contestant Shaun Barrowes is an award-winning singer/songwriter. Nicknamed "Hammer Hands" for his heavy-handed piano technique, Barrowes began composing music at the age of 15, and cut his first record just a year later. Following international touring and album recordings, Barrowes created a school benefit tour where a portion of proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit participating school arts programs.

"Programs like SchoolJam USA motivate kids to nurture their musical talent by giving them an opportunity they might not otherwise have," said Barrowes. "What I love most about this program is the emphasis on keeping kids' school music programs alive because music education is critical in helping students reach their full potential."

Top 8 Finalists Announced

Nearly 200,000 Votes Cast Online to Select Nation’s Best Teen Band; Finalists to Compete for More Than $50,000 in Cash and Prizes, Including Funding for School Music Programs

CARLSBAD, Calif. , December 8, 2011—The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), has announced the top eight qualifying bands in the third annual SchoolJam USA competition. The bands were chosen by a combination of public votes and a panel of music professionals. A national program that rewards both aspiring teen musicians and their respective school music programs, SchoolJam USA features the best amateur teen bands between the ages of 13 and 19.

On Jan. 21, during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show, the finalist bands will take center stage at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and perform live in front of a panel of professional judges and hundreds of fans for the chance to take the title of “Best Teen Band in the USA.” The winning band will walk away with the grand prize trip of a lifetime to perform at the original SchoolJam festival in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 toward the purchase of new gear and $5,000 for their school music programs. The remaining finalists will also receive money to purchase new gear, as well as funding for their respective school music programs. Music from the finalist bands can be viewed by visiting www.schooljamusa.com.

The 2012 SchoolJam USA finalists are (in alphabetical order):

  • Almost Chaos (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
  • Closer Than We Appear   (Scituate, Mass.)
  • Ergo We Play (Knoxville, Tenn.)
  • Impakt (Los Angeles)
  • Jazz Avenue (San Diego)
  • Squash (Salt Lake City)
  •  The Hi-Tops (Jeffersonville, Ind.)
  • The Interstellar Elevators    (Weston, Conn.)

The SchoolJam USA program continues to grow exponentially with this year’s contestants hailing from more than 100 U.S. cities, including Raleigh, N.C., Chicago and Wahiawa, Hawaii. Additionally, the number of bands that entered the SchoolJam USA competition spiked by nearly 85 percent from 2010 with the online voting period drawing in more than 25,000 voters and a record-breaking 1.5 million pageviews to the website during the month of November.