Willow Glen Resident
News
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
New Sound: Dave Gregoric leads a large band practice during a two-week jazz camp at Willow Glen High School taught by the San Jose Jazz Society. Students attended six classes a day and experienced playing with different-sized bands.
The sweet sounds of jazz filled the halls
By Emilie Crofton
Willow Glen High School sounded like a New Orleans Jazz club, as a saxophone rift blended with the beat of a drum and harmony of a piano. The musicians, however, were students letting it loose at a two-week San Jose Jazz Summer Camp.
The camp, run by the San Jose Jazz Society, was taught by a variety of music teachesr, musicians and former camp members. Students ages 12 to 18 had an opportunity to learn all about jazz theory, small ensemble, big band, master classes, instrument-specific instruction and arranging.
The campers' days were jam-packed. A typical day included master, combo, theory, big band, and Improv classes and jam sessions.
In previous years, the camp was held at San Jose State University. It was started in 1998 to promote and educate youth about jazz. This is the first year it was held at Willow Glen High School.
The highlight of the camp was a special jazz program at Santana Row and a clinic that included an improvisation with trumpeter Eddie Gale. The camp ended with a performance on June 29 at on the campus at the Little Theater.
The camp was designed for students who could read music and were already proficient on their instruments. It was not designed for beginners.
One of the camp's music teachers, Kenny Williams, who is a Willow Glen High School substitute music teacher, said the camp benefited both him and his students.
Music has always been apart of Williams' life. He can play a variety of instruments from piano to trombone. The camp offered him a hands-on way to develop his skills and techniques as a teacher.
"The kids have so many different personalities and learning styles," he said. "I'm able to experiment with a variety of teaching ideas and curriculum."
Williams said the students were taught by a variety of highly qualified music teachers, who do more than teach jazz.
"These students are learning from people who live the life of jazz," Williams said.
San Jose Jazz Camp offered students the rare experience of playing in with a big band of 12 to 19 musicians. The program also focused on improvisation.
The camp was divided into seven different categories: piano, percussion, guitar, bass, sax, trombone and trumpet, with percussion and sax being the most popular.
Kevin McCormick, a 15-year-old saxophone player, said the camp and the teachers provided a terrific learning opportunity.
"I've learned more in these two weeks then I have all year," said Kevin, who attends Willow Glen High School. "The teachers here made learning fun."
Brothers Jeremy, 12, and Greg Edwards, 15, both play the trombone. It was their first year at the camp.
"I'm learning all about modes and scales," said Jeremy. "I'm becoming a better musician."
The camp was Jeremy's introduction to playing jazz.
The boys' mother, Catherine Edwards, who declares herself tone deaf, was impressed with the two-week session.
"Everyone at the camp works hard and is very committed, but they all have so much fun and support one another," Edwards says. "This camp is like a piece of heaven for my kids."
