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UCSD Jazz Camp From Mainstream to Open Improvisation
Release Date: 02/09/07
The University of California at San Diego has become a hotbed for jazz each summer since 2003. The university’s Extension program sponsors a jazz camp on its campus in La Jolla, one of the region’s loveliest coastal communities just south of Los Angeles. In 2006, more than 50 students and 15 instructors participated in Jazz Camp, an actionpacked week of classes, jam sessions, and concerts.
A total immersion in jazz, this fertile environment nurtures students of all ages to learn, explore, and take musical risks. The fruits of their labor are displayed by student ensembles that are energetic and, at times, surprisingly sophisticated. The groups are guided by the camp’s instructors, who are among today's best jazz players and composers.
The roster of teachers not only reflects excellence, but also demonstrates one of the most unusual and strongest assets of the camp. From legendary straight-ahead players like alto saxophonist Charles McPherson and pianist Mike Wofford to renowned genre-leaping musicians like bassist/electronic wizard Lisle Ellis and drummer Gerry Hemingway, the camp boasts an innovative inside/outside approach. "We wanted to create a program that was educationally rich and meaningful for the students by giving them exposure to a wide spectrum of improvisational strategies in jazz," explained Dan Atkinson, who is Director of Arts, Humanities & Languages at UCSD Extension and founder and coordinator of the camp.
For more information:
http://jazzcamp.ucsd.edu
