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Professional Jazz Musician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Jazz,TX Host

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Located in the heart of the Pearl district, Jazz,TX is the premier location in San Antonio for live music, food, and a stellar cocktail program. We strive to have a solid team of professionals that ...

Be Seen First

Jazz,TX Host

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Located in the heart of the Pearl district, Jazz,TX is the premier location in San Antonio for live music, food, and a stellar cocktail program. We strive to have a solid team of professionals that ...

POSITION TITLE Overhire Jazz A2 School of Jazz and Contemporary Music College of Performing Arts ... Provide professional and courteous support to performers, faculty, and production staff * Maintain ...

Jazz Band

Camas, WA · On-site

$4.9K/wk

Middle School Professional Staff/Music - Band/Orchestra Date Posted: 8/27/2026 Location: Skyridge ... Stipend of $4,950 per semester Skyridge Middle School is seeking a Jazz Band Instructor to lead our ...

POSITION TITLE Overhire Jazz A1 School of Jazz and Contemporary Music College of Performing Arts ... Provide professional and courteous service to all parties. * Fulfill the role of System Technician ...

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Professional Jazz Musician information

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How much do professional jazz musician jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional jazz musician in the United States is $21.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Professional Jazz Musician vs Studio Musician?

AspectProfessional Jazz MusicianStudio Musician
CredentialsMusical training, performance experienceMusical training, session experience
Work EnvironmentLive performances, jazz clubs, festivalsRecording studios, commercial sessions
Employer & IndustryJazz ensembles, clubs, festivalsRecording studios, production companies
Search & Comparison IntentPerformance skills, jazz expertiseSession work, recording skills

While both Professional Jazz Musicians and Studio Musicians are highly skilled in music, the main difference lies in their work environment and focus. Professional Jazz Musicians primarily perform live in jazz settings, showcasing improvisation and jazz repertoire. Studio Musicians, on the other hand, focus on recording sessions across various genres, emphasizing technical precision and versatility. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the music industry.

How much does a professional jazz musician make?

The income of a professional jazz musician varies widely based on experience, location, and performance type. On average, they may earn from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually, with many supplementing income through teaching, recording, or touring. Earnings depend on gig frequency, reputation, and the ability to secure steady engagements or contracts.

What cities are hiring for Professional Jazz Musician jobs?

Cities with the most Professional Jazz Musician job openings:

What states have the most Professional Jazz Musician jobs?

States with the most job openings for Professional Jazz Musician jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Professional Jazz Musician jobs?

For Professional Jazz Musician jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Interim BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble Conductor

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • On-site

$30 - $35/hr

Full-time, Part-time, Temporary

Posted 13 days ago


Boston College rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

60th of 631 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Boston College Introduction
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.
Job Description
Job Title: Interim BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble Conductor
Position Type: Interim/Temporary Nonexempt Part-Time
Appointment Period: August 31, 2026 - May 31, 2027
Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Compensation: $30-35/hour, commensurate with experience and education.
Boston College seeks an experienced jazz musician and educator to serve as Interim BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble Conductor for the 2026-2027 academic year (September - May).
Founded in 1987, BC bOp! is Boston College's instrumental and vocal jazz ensemble. The ensemble performs a diverse repertoire ranging from traditional to contemporary and Latin jazz, and provides students with opportunities to develop their musicianship, ensemble skills, and confidence in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Reporting to the Director of the Robsham Theater Arts Center, the Conductor will provide musical and educational leadership for the ensemble, oversee rehearsals and performances, and support the development of its student musicians and vocalists. The Conductor will work closely with the BC bOp! Vocal Director, Boston College Bands staff, and student leaders.
Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct and direct regular rehearsals and performances for the instrumental and vocal ensembles.
  • Select and prepare repertoire and provide instruction in jazz performance, ensemble technique, improvisation, interpretation, and musicianship.
  • Prepare the ensemble for performances and schedule additional rehearsals as needed.
  • Provide musical guidance and oversight for weekly sectionals, including vocal, rhythm, trumpet, trombone, and saxophone sections.
  • Collaborate with the BC bOp! Vocal Director to support the development of the vocal ensemble.
  • Foster a collaborative and engaging environment that supports student learning and development.
  • Support student leadership and involvement in the artistic and operational aspects of the ensemble.
  • Manage basic ensemble administration, including rosters, parts, rehearsal schedules, and communication with students.
  • Coordinate with Boston College staff regarding facilities, scheduling, performances, and other operational needs.
  • Support recruitment and retention of student musicians and vocalists.
  • Participate in repertoire research, score preparation, planning meetings, and other activities necessary for the successful operation of the ensemble.

Schedule
The position requires regular availability for rehearsals, sectionals, preparation, and performances.
Regular RehearsalsInstrumentalists: Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Additional Commitments
  • Weekly one-hour sectionals for Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Rhythm sections, scheduled based on student and staff availability.
  • Approximately five hours per week for rehearsal preparation, repertoire research, score preparation, and related work.
  • Attendance at scheduled performances and additional rehearsals as needed.

The annual performance schedule typically includes performances in October, December, February, and April, including the Holiday Concert, a major Robsham Theater concert, and Arts Fest performances.
Applicants should submit:
  • Current résumé or curriculum vitae;
  • Brief cover letter describing their interest in the position and relevant experience;
  • Examples of relevant teaching and/or professional performance experience; and
  • Contact information for two or three professional references.
  • Please note: Applicants will be asked to provide recordings or other examples of relevant musical work during the interview process.

Boston College is committed to creating a supportive learning and working environment. We encourage applications from candidates who will contribute to student development, the educational mission, and Boston College's musical community.
Requirements
Required
  • Demonstrated experience directing, conducting, or leading jazz ensembles.
  • Significant experience performing and/or teaching jazz, with strong knowledge of jazz repertoire and performance practices.
  • Ability to effectively rehearse and prepare a jazz ensemble for performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with college students in an educational and performance setting.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Bachelor's degree in music, music education, jazz studies, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred
  • Master's degree in music, jazz studies, music education, or a related field.
  • Professional experience as a jazz instrumentalist, vocalist, arranger, conductor, or bandleader.
  • Experience working with multiple sections of a jazz ensemble, including rhythm, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and vocal sections.
  • Experience working with college or university jazz ensembles.

Closing Statement
Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.
Boston College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category, including disability and protected veteran status. Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.

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