Sierra Jazz Camp at Nevada City School Of The Arts

Learn to improvise or develop your skills with 8 kind, supportive professional faculty. All levels are encouraged. Located in the beautiful rural countryside of northern California, the camp uses the facilities of the Nevada County School of the Arts. It is a relaxing and welcoming place to play. More info at http://www.jazzcamp.sierrajazzsociety.com

Sierra Jazz Camp was started in 2001 with Bill Douglass as Artistic Director. Bill played with Marian McPartland for 20 years and is on several CDs with her. He has also played with Mose Allison, Tom Waits, Bobby McFerrin and hundreds of other greats in the San Francisco Bay Area. He brings his love of jazz and the idea of inclusiveness to the camp, which sets the tone for cooperation and openness....

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Learn to improvise or develop your skills with 8 kind, supportive professional faculty. All levels are encouraged. Located in the beautiful rural countryside of northern California, the camp uses the facilities of the Nevada County School of the Arts. It is a relaxing and welcoming place to play. More info at http://www.jazzcamp.sierrajazzsociety.com

Sierra Jazz Camp was started in 2001 with Bill Douglass as Artistic Director. Bill played with Marian McPartland for 20 years and is on several CDs with her. He has also played with Mose Allison, Tom Waits, Bobby McFerrin and hundreds of other greats in the San Francisco Bay Area. He brings his love of jazz and the idea of inclusiveness to the camp, which sets the tone for cooperation and openness.

The rest of the faculty also hail from northern CA: Ken French on piano, lives in San Francisco; Al Bent from Sacramento on trombone; Beth Duncan from Sacramento who teaches the vocal section; John Girton (Dan Hicks, Maria Mulduar) on guitar; Jim Trefethen on sax; Nora Nausbaum, flute; Kit Bailey teaches drums.

Sectionals in the morning are grouped according to instrument or like-instruments. The afternoon combos are arranged according to skill level. A rhythm section joins the vocalists in the afternoon. A delicious and nutritious lunch is provided.

On the last day of camp both students and faculty play in concert at another gorgeous country venue, River Highlands Ranch in Smartsville. Always-well attended, the concert seems to produce enough energy to lift the audience up a few feet!

Camp ends at 3:3O each day. Campers can commute, go home or stay in local hotel, motel or other housing. Although camp address is Nevada City, the twin towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City are adjacent. The region is rich in gold fever history, and there are wonderful rivers, hiking trails very nearby. There is both casual and fine dining choices, movie theatres, clubs and fun shopping.

Whether you are a novice to jazz or a seasoned player, you can find your niche at Sierra Jazz Camp and have a fun time learning and playing. Contact Sierra Jazz Society at http://www.jazzcamp.sierrajazzsociety.com

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