Sax or Jazz Camps

[Hawk]

I'm a late bloomer, and have played the axe for 7+ years. but with only 1+ years of formal instruction. Looking for recommmendations on sax camps or jazz band camps for adults. Any thoughts?? 8-)

Thanks.
Hawk

[Dave Dolson]

Hawk: Welcome aboard. What kind of jazz (there is a world of difference between original jazz and what is being played today)? Where do you live? Are you willing to travel some distance? DAVE

[gary]

I can HIGHLY recommend the Berklee at Umbria Workshop (Berklee summer course in Perugia, Italy in conjunction with the Umbria Jazz Festival) and the Manhattan School of Music summer workshop at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, which is not in the same city, but which runs up against the North Sea Jazz Festival d(in Den Haag) for those inclined to pair the two. Great locations, outstanding faculty, great students.

[Gandalfe]

Hawk, I'd love to hear your answers to Dave's questions. I too am considering sax camps, but wonder how much an intermediate player would gain from the investment. As you can see from my profile, I'm from the Seattle area.

[Hawk]

Guys,

Thanks for the ideas. In answer to Dave's questions, I'm from the D.C. area, and I'm into smooth and big band. The whole east coast is in play, but I'm certainly willing to travel across country if its a well-regarded camp.

Hawk
8-)

[Dave Dolson]

Hawk: Then I don't have suggestions (based on your playing goals). But at least I didn't send you on a chase. DAVE

[scottyhoop]

Hawk, check out the Sax Symposium at George Mason in January if you haven't already. It's not a camp, but lots of sax stuff going on, and if you ask around there someone might be able to help you out. I go every year. Some great stuff going on there.
Scott

[gary]

Hawk, I'm sure you want specific-ecperience recommendations, but in the meantime the following might be of help. From the International Association of Jazz Educators: http://www.iaje.org/article.asp?ArticleID=134

[A Greene]

Hank,

A few years ago I went to the Tri-Tone Jazz Fantasy Camp. It was held at the Eastman School of Music (I'm not sure if it's still there). They have a web-site. It was a week long camp with performances on Friday and Saturday. Real good for combo style performances. Also reasonably priced. Housing was available. It seemed really aimed at Late-Bloomer, although there were some really killer players there as well.

Good Luck

Tony

[Jon B. Bop]

In addition to the tri tone camp, you should check out the Abersold camp in Louisville. It's the largest and most popular, but I think it focuses on improvisation.
Also look at the Vermont Jazz camp (not sure if that is the name) I think that may be exactly what you are looking for.

I haven't been to one yet due to scheduling problems, but I'm dyin' to go. Anyone I've spoken who has been to one has had a blast.

Good Luck!

[Jon B. Bop]

Forgot about the Stanford camp @ Stanford U. But West coast may be G.U.(geographically undesirable) :)

[rcwjd]

I've been to two Aebersold camps. They are great. From 8 AM til midnight and beyond - it is total immersion in jazz. The day includes theory class (but fun), small group instruction on basics, combo practice, listening to the pros in concert, and after hours jam sessions. The camp is for all levels of players. The instructors take the time on the first day to place you in approximately your level of playing so that you are challenged but not overmatched. By the end of the week, every combo does a tune in the final performance, and you can hear the improvement from where you started. The program does not focus solely on improvisation, but you will improvise better after attending because you will understand the "ear" and "technical" aspects better. The camp is always in the week of the Fourth of July and the following week. Go for it. :)

[windsynthaos]

Jazz Vermont is at
http://www.jazzcamp.com

I went last summer. Lots of playing time. A lot of repeat attendees. Mix of ages, but mostly older players. (And 2 killer HS students, too).
They assign you to a band, seemingly at random. A couple of big bands, and a bunch of smaller combos. I was in a big band.

I had a blast, and I am toying with going again.

I went to JV since it's the only one I found that I could easily drive to. (I live near Boston).And I think it was the only one that fit inot my schedule.
Aebersold and Tritone were also on my list. Aebersold was a flight, and tritone was a long drive. I think Jazz VT was the most expensive, but they put you up in a pretty nice Hotel, as opposed to a college dorm.

They give you a cd of the concert (Thursday night) and while I was playing I thought our band was pretty good, but listening to us on CD, I thought we sucked. The sound quality on the cd was also fairly poor. A few other criticisms that I wont put up here, but will mention in private email. I havent listened to the cd's of the other bands yet.

Rehearsal after breakfast until Noonish, lunch on your own, sectionals in the afternoon, along with various workshops, and then more rehersal after dinner. A few nights there were faculty or guest artist concerts. And of course, the hotel bar after the evening events.

Based on my experience I think I'd only chose a camp I could drive to. That way, I can pack ALL my stuff. I am not going to check a horn.

There have been more threads discussing camps on the forum. Search for Jazz camp.