May 31, 2005

Hoppin' big band workshops offered at Sac State

An intensive week of big band jazz classes will be held from July 10 through 15 for cool cats who sign up for the first-ever Jazz Camp for grown-ups at Sacramento State.

As part of daily activities, the featured in-residence musical group, the Jim Widner Big Band, will perform free nightly shows for the public in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall at 7 p.m., July 10 and 8 p.m., July 11 to 14. A free closing concert with students and the band will be held at 8 p.m., Friday, July 15.

Workshops include big band rehearsals, master classes, improvisation, theory, and arranging for students ages 14 and up who have studied for at least one year in piano, bass, drums, guitar, saxophone, trumpet or trombone - instruments indigenous to big band music. College students, music educators and adults are encouraged to apply. Attendees may commute to class or live in the residence halls.

The camps are modeled after those created by avant-garde musician Stan Kenton, one of the founders of jazz education, whose camps were held at the University during the '60s and '70s.

"At that time, there were many performers of jazz music, but no real teachers," says Sacramento State professor Steve Roach. "Stan Kenton took jazz into the college setting and taught students what jazz was all about."

Applications will be accepted until the program reaches full student capacity. Program costs are $349 or $611 for students in residence. For more information on application procedures or program information, contact Roach at (916) 278-7987 or visit the camp's web site at www.csus.edu/music/jazz/jazzcamp.html. For media assistance, contact Sacramento State Public Affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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