Camp Jazz 2009

The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain (PCOM)* in Delaware Water Gap, PA presented another installment of their Summer Gazebo Concert Series on Sunday August 2nd featuring the participants of The Celebration of the Arts (COTA)* Camp Jazz* which showcased a number of ensembles created through the educational process consisting of young people who came to learn more about Jazz performance by many of those known throughout the Jazz Community. The concert was introduced by COTA* Co Founder Rich Chamberlain*.

The rainy conditions kept the 3rd Annual Camp Jazz Concert from being held out doors as it was in previous years, but this did nothing to dampen the spirits of these young performers. Their vibrant energies shined through as they approached each jazz piece in their repertoire. Some displayed their inexperience through a common hesitancy which often accompanies those performing before an audience for the very first time. However, the encouragement they received from the numerous jazz lovers who filled the small sanctuary soon provided the confidence they needed to manifest an outstanding performance. Some of this encouragement came from the instructors who were on hand to play alongside their protégés. The excellence and excitement generated throughout the concert was heightened with the appearance of Bob Durough* who sang and played piano in his own incomparable style.

The Camp itself began Monday July 27th and concluded with the performance at PCOM*. During that time, these students were given instruction in the finer points of Jazz by noted Jazz Musicians and composers whose fame goes beyond the Delaware Water Gap Area. They included Phil Woods*, Rich Chamberlain*, Evan Gregor*, Bobby Avery *, Caris Visentin, Jay Rattman*, Matt Vashlishan, Jim Daniels*, Spencer Reed*, and Jesse Green* along with Eric and Vicki Doney*. In addition to the instruction they were given by renown Jazz artist, they were provided with a number of Master Classes presented by Pat Dorian, Bob Bush (curator of the Al Cohn Memorial Collection in the ESU Library), and David Liebman*.

Camp Jazz* takes place from late July to Early August and is open to young people age 13 through adult who have a burning desire to play jazz and learn from world-class jazz musicians and revered music teachers. It was begun by The Celebration of the Arts (COTA)* who will hold their 32nd Annual Jazz and Arts Festival September 11th - 13th in the Delaware Water Gap, PA. Please Contact COTA* and/or Jazz Camp* at 570-424-2210 for more information.

The Next performance in The Presbyterian Church on the Mountain (PCOM)* Gazebo Concert Series will be Jay Rattman* and Friends on Sunday August 9th beginning at 6pm. Please Contact Bonnie Childs* at 570-992-3934 for more information.

Here are links and contact information to those I mentioned in this article for you to explore. Spencer Reed* www.reedmusic.com, Bob Durough* www.bobdorough.com, Eric and Vicki Doney* www.myspace.com/vickidoney, Pat Dorian www.esu.edu/%7Epdorian/dorianbio.html, The Celebration of the Arts (COTA)* www.cotajazz.org, Camp Jazz* www.campjazz.org, Phil Woods* www.philwoods.com, Evan Gregor* www.evangregor.com, Jay Rattman* www.myspace.com/jayrattman, Jesse Green* www.jessegreen.com, David Liebman* www.daveliebman.com, and The Presbyterian Church on the Mountain (PCOM)* www.churchofthemountain.org.

You’ll find more photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Camp Jazz 2009 Gallery. www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.