DAYTON — Jazz Labs Dayton summer music camp will meet from Sunday, June 9 through Friday, June 14, 2019.
The camp is held on Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the University of Dayton.
Jazz Labs Dayton is an educational activity that offers young musicians classroom and stage performance experience in big band and combo jazz. By interacting with top professionals in the jazz arena, these young people are challenged to expand their musical abilities and aspire to excellence.
This summer music camp is for musicians in grades 6 through 12.
This year’s camp begins on Sunday with Jazz Immersion combined with Sammy K’s Groove Boot Camp.
Each day features a full range of jazz activities, including big band rehearsals, combo classes, master classes, jazz theory, jazz improvisation, jam sessions with professional musicians, jazz history and listening sessions, and lunchtime concerts. Jazz Labs Dayton 2019 summer music camp includes sessions for instrumentalists and vocalists regardless of jazz experience and is open to musicians who play brass and woodwind instruments; rhythm section instruments, including guitar, piano, keyboard, upright and electric bass, drum set, mallet percussion, hand percussion, and strings; and vocalists.
“We have an outstanding line up of teaching artists for camp this year,” says Hal Melia, Artistic Director of Jazz Labs Dayton. “Some of the area’s best jazz musicians and educators, combined with others from around the country, will lead sessions and perform with the students in a variety of musical settings throughout the week.”
Teaching artists at this year’s summer jazz camp include Slammin’ Sammy K (drums), Scott Belck (trumpet), Phil Burkhead (keys), Chris Berg (bass), Jim Smith (guitar), Ryan Hamilton (trombone), Bill Burns (sax), Eric Lechliter (trumpet, arranging), Jimmy Leach (trumpet, vocals, arranging), Lee Watts (trombone), Dan Nicora (sax), and Willie Morris (sax).
Internationally renowned musician Bria Skonberg, a Canadian native trumpeter, vocalist, and “instigator,” who makes her home in New York City, will be this year’s featured guest artist.
Skonberg will headline the program on Wednesday, June 12, at 7 p.m., in concert at Boll Theatre (in UD’s Kennedy Union), along with Jazz Labs Dayton teaching artists.
Student showcase concerts will be held in Boll Theatre on Thursday, June 13, at 7 p.m., featuring big bands and on Friday, June 14, at noon, featuring combos.
All concerts are also free and open to the public.
The registration fee of $375 includes all sessions, concert with guest artist Bria Skonberg, catered lunches, and a Jazz Labs Dayton 2019 t-shirt. The fee is $350 if students bring their own lunch.
Scholarships are available based on financial need and musical ability.
Jazz Labs Dayton is funded in part by grants from the Dor-Wood Optimist Club, Optimist International and the Community Foundation for Kettering.
