[Dixielandjazz] New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp for Adults

[Nita Hemeter]

May 27, 2010
New Orleans Hosts Its First Traditional Jazz Band Camp


The acclaimed HBO series "Treme" has ignited a firestorm of interest in New
Orleans music.  The music has emerged, according to one critic "as its
central character, the lone force capable of holding a shattered city
together." For another, the music is " a huge reason to keep watching." The
songs included each episode have become the subject of scores of print and
blog commentaries and at least one website dedicated to the soundtrack of
"Treme" -- MusicOfTreme.com. Much of the music featured in the series is
traditional jazz.   Songs like "St. James Infirmary," "Li'l Liza Jane," and
"Basin Street Blues" are now being heard in living rooms across America.

But adults who wanted to learn how to play this kind of traditional New
Orleans Jazz used to have to attend band camps in Sacramento, San Diego or
other cities.  Until now.

For the first time, "the birthplace of jazz" is hosting a traditional jazz
camp for adults.  This summer, between August 1-6, 60 adults from across the
globe are coming to New Orleans to learn New Orleans music from New Orleans
musicians.  The camp will feature individual and group classes, evening jam
sessions, a jazz club crawl, a birthday party for Louis Armstring at
Preservation Hall and the opportunity to sit in with jazz bands in the
French Quarter and the chance for some to perform at the Satchmo Summerfest.

This year is the start of an annual event that will capitalize on the
growing popularity of New Orleans music and attract people from around the
world to the city in early August. A shrinking number of slots are still
available.  For more information about New Orleans' first traditional jazz
camp, go to www.neworleanstradjazzcamp.com.  To interview the musicians
organizing the camp, contact info at neworleanstradjazzcamp.com