Jan 21, 2025 7:54 PM
Southern California Fires Hit the Jazz Community
Roy McCurdy and his wife had just finished eating dinner and were relaxing over coffee in their Altadena home, when he…
Jamming at the JazzWire Summer Summit.
(Photo: Courtesy of JazzWire)Ah, summertime. Breathe in those fresh summer breezes … and get to the woodshed to improve your chops! That’s right, jazz camp’s not just for kids anymore, with more and more adults-only options popping up around the globe. Here are a few choice camps where you can improve your chops, meet like-minded sound explorers and take in the beauty of your surroundings.
Jazz at the Summit
Breckenridge, Colorado
June 18–22
Be inspired as you rehearse and perform great jazz music under the tutelage of professional staff in the breathtaking mountains of Colorado. Over five days, adult musicians will be immersed in small group sectionals and full rehearsals culminating in a public performance at one of the region’s finest venues.
Faculty: Anthony Garcia, Michael Brothers, Mark Wood, Margaret Banton, John Madere, Andy Nevada.
Cost: $265–$315
Contact: Beth Steele, executivedirector@musicatthesummit.com; 240-475-6316; jazzatthesummit.com
Jazz In The Mountains
Killington, Vermont
Aug. 10–15
Jazz In The Mountains creates a stimulating environment of music-making and interpersonal support for adult musicians. Situated in the mountains of Vermont, the professional staff brings challenge, growth and encouragement to rehearsals, master classes and performances — including Guest Artist Erena Terakubo with Ray Vega, Tom Cleary and others to guide four ensembles.
Contact: Rich Davidian, camp administrator, jazzmountains@gmail.com; 802-798-9998; jazzinthemountains.com.
JazzWire Canadian Summit
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
June 20–22
Built for adults from the ground up, the three-day Canadian Summit is one of the few adult-centered camps in the country. At The Summit, you will have plenty of playing time in your small combo, electives, instrument specific masterclasses, jam sessions and more.
Faculty: Jeff Antoniuk, Chris Andrews, Aretha Tillotson, Biboye Onanuga, Jean-Francois Picard, Jim Head, Joel Gray and others.
Cost: $749 CAD for three days, or $225 CAD per day for observers.
Contact: Jeff Antoniuk, artistic director, Jeff@JazzWire.net; 443-822-6483; jazzwiresummit.com/canadiansummit.
JazzWire Summer Summit
Rockville, Maryland (outside Washington D.C.)
July 29–Aug. 3
In its 22nd year, and built for adults from the ground up, the five-day Summer Summit features a renowned faculty of top-notch recording artists and teachers. The Summit offers plenty of playing time in small combo, electives, instrument specific master classes, jam sessions and more.
Faculty: Sherrie Maricle, Greg Boyer, Jeff Antoniuk, James Moore, Amy Shook, Steve Herberman, Leonardo Lucini, Jackie Warren, Brent Birckhead and others.
Cost: $1,599 for three days, or $325 per day for observers.
Contact: Jeff Antoniuk, artistic director, Jeff@JazzWire.net; 443-822-6483; jazzwiresummit.com/summersummit.
JazzWire Twin Cities Summit
Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 17–19
Built for adults from the ground up, the three-day Twin Cities Summit features a renowned faculty of top-notch recording artists and players, who also happen to be great teachers. At The Summit, have plenty of playing time in your small combo, electives, instrument specific master classes, jam sessions and more.
Faculty: Jeff Antoniuk, Elaine Burt, Chris Bates, Adi Yeshaya, Zacc Harris and others.
Cost: $799 for three days, or $250 per day for observers.
Contact: Jeff Antoniuk, artistic director, Jeff@JazzWire.net; 443-822-6483; jazzwiresummit.com/home-twin-city-summit.
JazzWorks 30th Annual Jazz Camp & Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat
Harrington, Quebec, Canada
Aug. 25–28 (Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat)
Aug.18–31 (Jazz Camp)
An adult-focused, life-changing learning opportunity for vocalists and instrumentalists. Work on jazz theory and technique with JazzWorks’ innovative Canadian and international jazz artist faculty. Share the joy of this intensive learning experience and immerse yourself in combo rehearsals, master classes, improvisation, jazz history, composition and arranging, with nightly jam sessions and concerts. Check out the three-day Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat at jazzworkscanada.com.
Faculty: Past faculty includes Adrian Vedady, music director; Dezron Douglas; Nat Reeves; Kirk MacDonald; Don Braden; Ted Nash; Amy London; Derrick Gardner; Lorne Lofsky; Roddy Ellias; Jocelyn Gould; Jean-Michel Pilc and more.
Cost: Visit jazzworkscanada.com.
Contact: jazzworkscanada.com; jazzworkscanada.com/jazz-camp.html.
New England Conservatory’s Jazz Lab: Players and Educators Workshop
Boston, Massachusetts
June 22–28
Rediscover the world of jazz through an immersive workshop tailored to educators and adult musicians, featuring classes, rehearsals and a culminating performance. Learn from NEC faculty and guest artists while refining skills, exploring pedagogy and engaging with vital topics for performers and educators. Elevate artistry and connect with the vibrant jazz community at NEC. This is an adult program. Participants must be 18 or older to apply.
Faculty: Tim Lienhard: co-founder, executive director; Henrique Eisenmann, co-founder, artistic director; Ken Schaphorst; David Zoffer, Lihi Haruvi; Peter Moffett; Farayi Malek; Zwe Duma Bell le Pere; Ehud Ettun. Faculty listed are subject to change.
Cost: Tuition, $1,950; housing and meals: $1,200; Day students (lunch & dinner only), $250
Contact: ee@necmusic.edu; 617-585-1160; necmusic.edu/expanded-education/summer-programs/jazz-lab.
Samba Meets Jazz Workshops
Bar Harbor, Maine
Aug. 3–9
Located at College of the Atlantic on Frenchman’s Bay — just steps from Acadia National Park — Samba Meets Jazz Workshops offer instrumental, vocal and tap dance programs focusing on jazz, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban traditions. Geared to adult hobbyists, educators and working musicians, SMJ provides adults of all musical backgrounds the opportunity to study and hang with world-renowned faculty and like-minded peers. The Instrumental program includes ensembles, improvisation, instrument-specific study, arranging, optional big band and more. The vocal program includes repertoire development, phrasing, scatting, charting, theory, percussion accompaniment, and Portuguese pronunciation (optional). Tap emphasizes musicality, technique and improvisation. Accompaniment by instrumental faculty is key to the vocal and tap dance program. Guests and chaperoned high school students welcome. Partial scholarships and work-study is available based on financial need and merit.
Faculty: Nilson Matta, artistic/music director; Rafael Barata; Edsel Gomez; Felipe Galganni and more to be announced.
Cost: To be announced.
Contact: alice@SambaMeetsJazz.com
Summertrios Jazz Workshop
Franklin & Marshall College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
June 7–14
The Summertrios Jazz Workshop is a dynamic, non-audition program for adult musicians. Participants explore combos, sectionals, guided listening, jazz history, improvisation and instrumental pedagogy. Led by expert faculty, the workshop fosters growth, creativity, and camaraderie in a supportive environment.
Faculty: Matt Buttermann, Juan Montoya, Nathan Decusatis, Willie Applewhite, Keegan Riley, Zoe Obadia, Mikael Darmanie and more.
Cost: Tuition, $1,550; Room & board, $750.
Contact: Matt Buttermann, matt@summertrios.org 313-509-7909; summertrios.org.
Tritone Jazz at Naz
Nazareth University, Rochester, New York
June 15–20
Tritone is all about playing and learning and keeping it all fun. Curriculum is focused on adult learners (no one under 21 admitted) of all experience levels and includes participation in small combos, big bands, guided improvisation/theory classes, instrument instruction and jam sessions. Personal attention, with 5:1 camper/faculty ratio. All campers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Faculty: Darmon Meader, Charles Pillow, Rich Thompson, Clay Jenkins, Bob Sneider, Mark Kellogg, Dariusz Terefenko, Marco Panascia, Kristen Shiner-McGuire.
Cost: Tuition, $1,095. Full package, tuition, plus room & board, $1,890.
Contact: Bob DeRosa, tritonebob@gmail.com; tritonejazz.com.
Tritone at Bjorklunden
Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
July 6–11
A second Tritone camp in case July is a better time for your jazz retreat. Curriculum is focused on adult learners (no one under 21 admitted) of all experience levels and includes participation in small combos, big bands, guided improvisation/theory classes, instrument instruction and jam sessions. Personal attention, with 5:1 camper/faculty ratio. All campers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Faculty: Terell Stafford, Janet Planet, Greg Jasperse; Pat Mallinger, Tim Fitzgerald; Christian Dillingham, John Harmon, Rod Blumenau, Dean Sorenson, Zach Harmon.
Cost: Tuition, $1,095. Still room in camp, but lodging is sold out for 2025. Plenty of nearby motels and B&Bs.
Contact: Bob DeRosa, tritonebob@gmail.com; tritonejazz.com.
Adult Jazz Camp powered by ColaJazz
Columbia, South Carolina
June 9–12
Designed for adults, this immersive weekend features jazz combos, theory, improv, master classes and a grand finale public performance. Whether mastering Coltrane or blues basics, enjoy expert instruction, concerts and a vibrant community. Tuition includes meals, activities and a free T-shirt!
Faculty: Dr. Mitch Butler, Amos Hoffman, Mark Rapp, Nick Vlandis, Sam Edwards.
Cost: $285
Contact: Sam Edwards, sam@colajazz.com; colajazz.com.
New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 15–21, June 22–28
NOTJC is a weeklong adult workshop in the heart of the French Quarter. Sessions include sectionals, ensembles, nightly jam sessions, lectures, second line parade, playing at Preservation Hall, a final performance and a continuous jam session on Saturday for those wishing to stay and extra day.
Faculty: 20 faculty members both local and from around the U.S. include Banu Gibson, Dan Levinson, Tom Fisher, Ray Moore, Hal Smith, Gerald French, Danny Rubio, Charlie Halloran, David Sager, David Boeddinghaus, Steve Pistorius, Kris Tokarski, Mark Brooks, Katie Cavera, Molly Reeves, Charlie Fardella, Doyle Cooper, Meryl Zimmerman.
Cost: Tuition, $2,450. Includes six nights of housing, breakfast and lunch. Scholarships available for those under 23.
Contact: Banu Gibson, notradjazzcamp@gmail.com; 504-895-0037; tradjazzcamp.com.
Yosemite Jazz Guitar & Bass Workshop
Oakhurst, California
June 22–27
Rich Severson has hosted this peaceful, engaging workshop near Yosemite for 23 years. The tranquil setting allows guests to fully immerse themselves in learning jazz guitar. Students are grouped by skill level and focus on three tunes. There are nightly student concerts and a student performance at a public winery.
Faculty: Rich Severson, Mike Dana, plus a special guest teacher.
Cost: $1,299–$2,199.
Contact: Wes Severson, severson.wes@gmail.com; 805-460-6370; guitarcollege.com/yosemite.
For a complete listing of adult jazz camps, and all the other camps, click HERE! DB
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