Litchfield Jazz Camp Awards $90,000 in Need-Based Scholarships
Litchfield Jazz Camp Awards $90,000 in Need-Based Scholarships
Location: Kent School, Kent, CT
Contact: 860-567-4162
Email: info@litchfieldjazzfest.com
Website: litchfieldjazzfest.com
Kent. CT--Litchfield Jazz Camp, the 13-year-old teaching arm of the renowned Litchfield Jazz Festival, has made if first big move this summer-- to Kent School in Kent, CT, for a month-long program July 5 August 2. The move was much welcomed by the Kent Community and has allowed the program to enroll a record number of students. Enrollment now stands at 325 students across 500 student weeks, and is still growing.
Even more important, says the programs founder, Vita West Muir, is the opportunity the larger Kent School campus creates to serve more students in need. This summer Litchfield Jazz Camp will distribute over $90,000 in need-based scholarship support to young players. In turn, the camp is grateful for major support from the CT Department of Education Bureau of Choice and new support this year from the Joe Williams Fund, Faye and Jim Preston of Kent Village Barns, Friends and Best Friends of the Festival, area foundations, and donors to Litchfield Performing Arts, the 28 year old non-profit which runs the Camp and Festival.
Litchfield Jazz Camp is one of the largest programs of its kind and the only one with such an expansive need-based scholarship program. It has been featured in JazzTimes, Downbeat and TIME Magazines, on CNN and on CPTVs Positively Connecticut with Diane Smith.
Litchfield Jazz Camps music director is saxophonist/composer/educator Don Braden
Don Braden
b.1963
sax, tenor
. A major figure on the jazz scene, he is also well known for his compositions for Bill Cosby's television projects. Other 2009 teaching artists include world-renowned performers and clinicians, bassists Luques Curtis, Marcus McLaurine, Mario Pavone
Mario Pavone
b.1940
bass
, Avery Sharpe
Avery Sharpe
bass, acoustic
, Nilson Matta and Martin Wind; drummers Alvin Atkinson, Winard Harper
Winard Harper
b.1962
drums
, Jeff Hirshfield, Charlie Persip
Charlie Persip
b.1929
drums
and George Schuller
George Schuller
b.1958
drums
; flutist Ali Ryerson
Ali Ryerson
flute
; guitarists Paul Bollenback
Paul Bollenback
b.1959
guitar
, Dave Stryker
Dave Stryker
b.1957
guitar
, Roni Ben-Hur
Roni Ben-Hur
guitar
, Freddie Bryant
Freddie Bryant
guitar
, Doug Munro and Henry Johnson; pianists Andy Jaffe, Rachel Z.
Rachel Z.
, Junior Mance
Junior Mance
b.1928
piano
, Onaje Allen Gumbs, and Eli Yamin; saxophonists Kris Allen, Claire Daly
Claire Daly
sax, baritone
, Mike DiRubbo
Mike DiRubbo
b.1970
sax, alto
, Wayne Escoffery
Wayne Escoffery
b.1975
sax, tenor
and Lauren Sevian; trombonist, Peter McEachern; trumpeters Louise Baranger, Dave Ballou, Claudio Roditi
Claudio Roditi
b.1946
trumpet
and Russ Johnson
Russ Johnson
b.1965
trumpet
and vocalists Dena DeRose
Dena DeRose
b.1966
piano
and Carla Cook
Carla Cook
vocal
.
Students ages 13 to adult are welcome at all achievement levels. Offerings at camp include combo performance, improvisation, jazz history, rhythm and percussion, music theory, jazz composition, financial management for jazz musicians, big band, Latin band, R&B band, piano for non-pianists, jam sessions and much more. On July 22 from 7-9 PM, the camp will offer free of charge, to all students and the public, our Jazz College Fair Night. Representatives from eight leading colleges of music will be available to answer questions about enrollment and financial support.
All students perform on the second stage at the festival at Kent School, July 31 August 2. This summers festival stars include Jane Monheit
Jane Monheit
b.1977
vocal
, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
band/orchestra
, Poncho Sanchez
Poncho Sanchez
b.1951
congas
and more. Festival goers and students are invited free of charge to enjoy master classes by many of our festival stars. For applications, tickets and information visit our website or call 860-567-4162.
