Plans are underway to present our first Jazz Summer Camp and Jazz Institute in the summer of 2011! The camp will take place at Jefferson Center here in Roanoke, VA

This week long jazz adventure will be hosted at Jefferson Center and includes five days of jazz history, theory, master classes, ensemble classes, concerts, recording sessions and jam sessions. Jefferson Center’s Jazz Institute is targeting young people between the ages of 12-18 who have some musical background and a minimum of two years of experience with their instrument.

The Jazz Institute will be a comprehensive camp to teach kids about jazz. The kids will participate in a week long program which will culminate in a series of final performances and recordings in the Music Lab at Jefferson Center.

The Jazz Institute will also take the opportunity to create a scholarship fund in honor of the great jazz pianist, Don Pullen. Our goal will be to celebrate the amazing creativity of Roanoke’s own jazz master while supporting a young musician on their path to exploring the world of jazz through quality education and engaging opportunities.

The Jefferson Center Jazz Institute will:

• Take place over 5 days during the summer each year
• Offer high profile jazz musicians to teach the students
• Offer opportunities for students to learn all aspects of playing jazz
• Host classes, performances and lecture/demonstrations
• Partner with local schools to implement a higher level of jazz education
• Partner with the Music Lab at Jefferson Center to focus on recording
• Offer performance opportunities for the students and instructors
• Act as a catalyst to promote jazz as an art form to the students and therefore the greater public
• Produce a recording each year with the master musicians and students that will be promoted through the school system.
• Raise money to offer students scholarships to continue jazz training at a higher learning institution
• Celebrate the music of Roanoke’s own Don Pullen

Jefferson Center Jazz Institute and Summer Camp –  For all instrumentalists and vocalists - Ages 12 – 18

• Master classes
• Ensemble classes
• Improvisational Workshops
• Jazz Theory
• Jazz History
• Daily Jam Sessions
• Recording sessions

All participants should bring their instruments. We'll supply the drums and pianos/keyboards.

Please contact Dylan Locke, Artistic Director, for more details on how to participate and support jazz education at Jefferson Center! dlocke@jeffcenter.org or (540) 343-2624 ext 215