My friends have been ribbing me for quite a while now about the fact that I will be attending Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshops this year. Yes, I’m going to summer camp at 25.
Thousands of people have played jazz tunes counted off by that inimitable heartland accent of Jamey’s (“One, Two, One, Two, Three, Four…”) via his jazz play-along books. Every summer, the Aebersold staff and an A-list jazz faculty descend on the University of Louisville for week-long intensive training in jazz improvisation. The two one-week courses are supplemented by rhythm section primers (g,b,d) on the weekends.
Of interest to me (and hopefully some of my readers) is the bass faculty:
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J.B.Dyas
Glenn Fisher
Chris Fitzgerald
David Friesen
John Goldsby
Bill Moring
Lynn Seaton
Bob Sinicrope
Frank Smith
Sonny Stevens
Tyrone Wheeler
This Who’s who of the bass community is at students’ service throughout the camps. Additionally, USF Jazz Faculty members Jack Wilkins (sax – jazz department chair) and Steve Davis (drums) are on faculty.
I will be attending both weekends and both weeks, working one week and being a student the other. If you already plan on attending, let me know and we’ll be sure to get together while in Louisville. If you are just now hearing about the Workshops, please consider them. Jamey encourages players of all levels to attend to maximize their playing potential.
By the way – that’s Chris Fitzgerald and Steve Davis in the picture.
Not being in Jazz, Jamey Aebersold was just the guy in town (New Albany) my trumpet playing friend often mentioned. Thanks for the reminder of my old home.
If this is your first time in Louisville, I hope you get a chance to explore the city during your off time.