Celebrating a Decade of Jazz Education at UC San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — UC San Diego’s division of Extended Studies is proudly sponsoring the tenth year of Jazz Camp on its La Jolla campus June 24-29, 2012. A five-day summer program designed for intermediate to advanced musicians ages 14 to adult, UC San Diego Jazz Camp offers a diverse, one-of-a-kind journey into the world of jazz workshops, private lessons, faculty concerts and more. Each year, more than 50 students, ranging in age from 14 to 73, and in conjunction with more than fifteen local, national and internationally-known jazz musicians, immerse themselves in an action-packed week of classes, jam sessions, and concerts.

In support of scholarships for the 2012 camp, UC San Diego is hosting an all-ages camp alumni concert led by three-time camp alumnus Joshua White on piano, fellow alumnus Fernando Gomez on drums and camp faculty member Rob Thorsen on bass, who will be joined by a variety of guest alumni soloists. The concert takes place on Sunday, March 18, 2012, 4-6 p.m. at the Conrad Prebys Music Center on UC San Diego’s campus. Tickets are $15 for the public, $10 for students, and all proceeds go toward the scholarship fund for the 2012 edition of the camp. Parking is free on Sundays in the Gilman Drive Parking Garage. Visit extension.ucsd.edu/spree, or call (858)534-3400 to register in advance, or attendees can pay at the door (cash only, please).

Several UC San Diego Jazz Camp alumni made it into the national spotlight in 2011. Joshua White, alumnus of the camp in its first three years from 2003-2005, won second place and a $10,000 prize in the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz’s International Competition, the jazz world’s most prestigious annual awards honor. He was selected as one of the three finalists by an all-star panel of judges that included such jazz piano icons as Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis and longtime James Moody Quartet pianist Renee Rosnes.  Another camp alumnus, Chase Morrin, took first place in the Open Combo Division at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Festival along with fellow alumni Fernando Gomez and Tyler Eaton.  Morrin, who is a skilled composer, also took the top prize for his piece, “Mumphis” which was performed at the 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival by the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.

More information about UC San Diego Jazz Camp is available at jazzcamp.ucsd.edu, or inquiries can be made via email, jazzcamp@ucsd.edu, or phone (858)534-5760. Registration closes for the 2012 session on May 24^th.

 

Jazz Camp Alumni Take Top Prize In Monterey

UC San Diego Jazz Camp alumni Chase Morrin, Fernando Gomez and Tyler Eaton, three members of the Chase Morrin Group, have taken first place in the Open Combo Division at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Festival. In addition to taking the top combo spot, Chase also took the top prize for composition, and his piece, “Mumphis” will be performed at the 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival by the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, on the Jimmy Lyons Stage on Sunday, September 18. The Chase Morrin Group will also be featured at the festival, where Chase will also receive the 4th Annual Gerald Wilson Award. The Monterey Jazz Festival invites top student musicians from around the world to participate in the Next Generation Festival to compete for a few coveted performance spots in September’s internationally known event.

Dan Atkinson, director of the UCSD Jazz Camp and the La Jolla Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s jazz program coordinator, is delighted to hear about the group’s accomplishment. “It is really an extraordinary achievement that Chase, Tyler and Fernando have won first place in this national competition. Each is a stellar young musician. Chase’s multiple talents as a pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader are truly exceptional. This award is just one more step towards establishing him as a national-level player in jazz.”

UC San Diego Jazz Camp is five-day summer program for intermediate to advanced level musicians ages 14 to adult. An extraordinary faculty of leading jazz improvisers and educators teach each year, including leading bebop saxophonist Charles McPherson, Angels in America composer Anthony Davis and Grammy-nominated bassist Mark Dresser (both faculty of the UCSD Department of Music).