About The Camp...

Jazz is America’s music, our heritage, and it is as much a part of our culture as the automobile.  The goal of the Trad Jazz Camp is to ensure the survival of our music by “Passing the Torch” from experienced jazz artists to young musicians. 

The Camp is focused on improvisation, both individual and group, with an emphasis on turning theory into practice at all times.  Students are assigned to bands with players of similar ability and experience and perform in the final concert on Saturday. There are nightly performances and jam sessions, with campers and faculty participating.  Campers receive semi-private lessons, group instruction, and attend theory classes.  There is also time for recreation in the gym, on a nature hike or just relaxing.

The camp's faculty consists of some of the finest trad jazz players in the country, including:

Greg Varlotta, trombone

Bria Skonberg, trumpet/cornet

Jeff Kreis, trumpet/cornet

Anita Thomas, clarinet and sax

Nate Ketner, clarinet and sax

Jason Fabus, clarinet and sax

Jason Wanner, piano

Curtis Brengle, piano

Jeff Minnieweather drums

Sam Rocha, bass and tuba

Nahum Zdybel, guitar and banjo

Shelley Burns, vocals

 

Camp Information

Campers stay in dormitory cabins, and eat in a central dining hall.  Special diet needs can be met with advance notice, and vegetarian/vegan meals are always available.

Each rehearsal/performance site is equipped with a piano, a guitar amp, a bass amp and a drum set.  Drummers need to bring their own cymbals, sticks, brushes and any other special equipment they wish.  Two cymbal stands and one high-hat stand are provided.  All other instrumentalists must bring their own instrument(s) unless prior arrangements have been made.  Vocalists must bring a small recording device.

Campers from outside the local area should arrive in Sacramento before noon on the first day of camp.  They will be met, and transported to camp by STJS volunteers.  Arrange departures for the evening of the last day of camp, no earlier than 7pm. Local campers who choose to ride the bus should arrive at the Elks Lodge on Riverside Blvd. between noon and 1:00 p.m. 

The camp concludes with a concert on the final day in Sacramento.  Campers will be bused from the camp to the concert site, and at the conclusion of the performance, approximately 4:00pm, will either be picked up by parents/guardians, or transported to the airport, train, or bus station for travel home.

Tuition for 2020 is $795

Payment plans are available and some jazz societies offer local scholarships for players. Contact us for more information.

Visit http://www.sacjazzcamp.org to register and learn more.