Jazz Camp in the Sierras

George Rebane

Another one of the gems, or should I say golden nuggets, of this foothills community of ours is Jazz Camp presented by the Sierra Jazz Society.  Once a year this society, under Artistic Director Bill Douglas, assembles a group of professional jazz musicians from near and far to put on a five day intensive teaching camp that is bookended by concerts in the Miners Foundry.  The students are vetted to be at a level so that they can all work together and benefit from the instruction which is given on the campus of the Nevada City School of the Arts located out on Bitney Springs Road.

Grandson Sean (age 12, experienced rock drummer) arrived last Tuesday from the LA area to spend a week with us while he attended the seventh annual Jazz Camp.  Grandma spent the previous two weeks locating an appropriate drum set for our budding musician.  It turned out that someone from our church had a drum set that they would gladly lend Sean for the week.  So we were ready.

When we got back from the airport there was barely enough time to get Sean settled in his room, freshen up a bit, and head into town for the faculty concert in the Foundry.  Part of the deal is that for the student fee you also get two guest tickets for each concert.  So there we were enjoying cookies and listening to some first class jazz from the musicians who were going to do the teaching.  They presented an ample set of bona fides to a packed hall – a great evening of jazz.

The next morning started the usual routine of schlepping Sean to the Bitney Springs campus, and in mid-afternoon bringing him home - fortunately sans drum set.  Every evening we got a full report of the day’s doings.  And the next morning do it again.  This went on till Saturday when the drums came home in Grandma’s van because Sunday morning early everyone moved into the Foundry for the last rehearsal and concert.

Sean, along with the several friends he had made during the week, were a pretty excited bunch as they set up.  The drummers, under instructor Jim Zimmerman, had a special treat prepared for the audience, and our twelve-year-old had a hard time keeping a zipped lip.  About two-thirty Grandma and I drove to the Foundry and joined a very enthusiastic audience of relatives, friends, and jazz lovers from the community to hear a number of delightful combos and solos delivered by students and instructors, all mixed together so each student got experience playing with professional jazz musicians.  It was another great musical event in Nevada County.

Then, after again loading the drums into the van, we all came back to the house with friends to enjoy a pizza dinner on the porch, and hear one more time what it was like playing with the pros.  I’m happy to report that the next generation of jazz musicians is solidly on course for keeping this great American musical genre alive and well for another fifty years or so.  Jo Ann and I heartily recommend that local grandmas and grandpas sign up their young musicians for next year’s Jazz Camp 2009.  And if you have any say in the matter, we recommend that you nudge the little darling toward something like a clarinet or flute.

Comments

[Russell Steele]

George and Jo Ann,

Ellen and I enjoyed meeting Sean, he seemed to be very matures for his age. A very nice young man grandparents should be proud share with Nevada County. Now, what was the "special treat prepared for the audience?" We are interested in hearing the rest of the story.

Russ

[Ellen]

Hi George & Jo Ann,

Sean is so fortunate to have such wonderful grandparents. And living in Nevada County, you do find unique cultural events to enjoy. We are pleased to hear about Sean's week at Jazz Camp. Will he be back next year ?

Ellen