KUUMBWA SUMMER JAZZ CAMP 2008

The annual Summer Jazz Camp was held from June 16–26 on the campus of Cabrillo College. The 42 participants, grades 8-12, represented 18 public, charter, and private schools throughout Santa Cruz County. These aspiring and dedicated young musicians studied and listened to jazz for nine days under the direction of Santa Cruz County music educators and professional musicians, Steve Wilson and Terrel Eaton. Assisting were rhythm coaches: Barbara Lopez, Stan Poplin, Zack Olsen, Gino Raugi, with a special appearance from Artist in Residence, Murray Low. Jazz Camp concluded with a joyfully successful, standing room only concert at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center attended by enthusiastic family, friends, and community supporters.
 
Jazz Camp is generously supported by William and Cloy Codiga Family Foundation, Mockingbird Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County and Kuumbwa Jazz contributors. All the jazz campers send a special thank you to Pacific Cookie Company for their tasty donation of cookies.

In their own words:
 
“This year jazz camp has been very helpful, especially with Murray Low available to work with. I really learned a lot more about piano jazz and piano Latin jazz.
– Nick Wallace, piano/guitar, 10th grade, Homeschool

“I liked it a lot…the teachers are really great. I am planning on trying out for the honor band next.” – Tyden Binsted, bass, 12th grade, Pacific Collegiate School

“I’ve been going to jazz camp for four years and I think it is a fun experience. I am thinking about majoring in music when I go to college.”
– Gabriel Cerecedes, trombone/trumpet, 11th grade, Watsonville High School

"When I first came here I had a basic understanding (of jazz), but when you’re here, everybody is here to help you. (Teachers and fellow students)… show you the way, with cords, scales, they break it down for you. Everybody is so friendly!"– Daniel Reyna, 12th grade, Pajaro Valley High School