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Litchfield Jazz Camp Awards $90,000 in Need-Based Scholarships

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Litchfield Jazz Camp Awards $90,000 in Need-Based Scholarships

Location: Kent School, Kent, CT
Contact: 860-567-4162
Email: [email protected]
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. 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, Avery Sharpe, Nilson Matta and Martin Wind; drummers Alvin Atkinson, Winard Harper, Jeff Hirshfield, Charlie Persip and George Schuller; flutist Ali Ryerson; guitarists Paul Bollenback, Dave Stryker, Roni Ben-Hur, Freddie Bryant, Doug Munro and Henry Johnson; pianists Andy Jaffe, Rachel Z, Junior Mance, Onaje Allen Gumbs, and Eli Yamin; saxophonists Kris Allen, Claire Daly, Mike DiRubbo, Wayne Escoffery and Lauren Sevian; trombonist, Peter McEachern; trumpeters Louise Baranger, Dave Ballou, Claudio Roditi and Russ Johnson and vocalists Dena DeRose and Carla Cook.

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, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Poncho Sanchez 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.

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