9th Annual 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop
The 9th Annual Summer Jazz Workshop will be in July 10-14, 2023 at Cuesta College.
Through a joint partnership between SLO Jazz Festival and Cuesta College Community Programs, with Direction from Ron McCarley, Director of Jazz Studies, we are announcing the 9th Annual 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
The SLO Jazz Festival's Summer Jazz Workshop is now a 5-day performance course aimed at students from Junior High through College. Each student will be instructed as to the role his/her instrument plays in a jazz ensemble. Students will also be instructed in the importance of competence on their instrument as well as how to dress and come across on the bandstand. Stage presence and team spirit will also be covered as well as how to acquire club dates and how to charge for a performance. In other words, students will be taught how to earn money as a musician if that is what the student so chooses. This summer’s workshop participants will be divided into two separate groups: “Jazz Master Class” and “Anyone Can Improvise.” The two groups will participate jointly in some exercises, but will have focused time each day for specialized lessons based on their skill level. Please use the information below to help you choose the appropriate group. enroll before May 31st to receive discount DATES: Mon-Fri, July 10-14 2023 AGES: 13+ FEES:
INSTRUCTORS: Ron McCarley, Director of Jazz Studies, Darrell Voss & guests NOTE: We intend to announce special guest instructors by March 30, 2023. QUESTIONS: Contact Scott Andrews, [email protected] or 805-459-6939 COURSE DESCRIPTION/REGISTRATION: Anyone Can Improvise – Register Online
The Jazz Master Class – Register Online
Note: We've had some inquiries into enrolling for the Summer Jazz Workshop from older students as well. Please be encouraged that we welcome young, middle-aged, and older students. This isn't just for the kids! Previously, in just one year we had 4 students over 60 sign up! So, that is a growing segment - maybe we'll have enough this year for a Senior combo! Jazz is a celebration of life - at any age. Of course, we'll have many 8th graders to college freshmen, as that is always a popular age group for the bulk of students, but we wanted to answer this question for you if you're wondering.
![]() REGISTRATION ONLINE OPEN NOW:
Open NOW. Sign up for July 10-14, 2023 * Anyone Can Improvise: Click here to Register Online * Jazz Masterclass: Click Here to Register Online FEE: Registration is open - save money! Just $175 until May 31st. Fee goes up to $250 on June 1, 2023. LOCATION: Cuesta College San Luis Obispo Campus Room 7160 SCHOLARSHIPS are AVAILABLE NOW for all who qualify. Contact info @ slojazzfest . org (without spaces) for details. QUESTIONS: Contact Scott Andrews, scott @ slojazzfest (dot) org or 805-459-6939. Sponsorship Opportunities: $3,000 Big Band Sponsor 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop (2) Big Band sponsor of the Summer Jazz Workshop, an education event held July 10-14, 2023. Receive significant print, and banner behind the band benefits and ad in program. Includes 8 complimentary concert tickets. $1,500 Combo Sponsor 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop Sextet sponsor of the Summer Jazz Workshop. Receive significant print, and banner near main stage benefits and ad in program. Includes 6 complimentary concert tickets to final concert. $1,000 Quartet Sponsor 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop Quartet sponsor of the Summer Jazz Workshop, an education event held July 10-14, 2023. Receive significant print, and banner behind the band $500 Duo Sponsor 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop Event sponsor of the Summer Jazz Workshop, an education event. Receive significant print benefits and ad in program. Includes 2 complimentary tickets to the final concert. $250 Student Sponsor 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop Event sponsor of the Summer Jazz Workshop, an education event. Receive significant print benefits and ad in program. Includes 2 complimentary tickets to the final concert. All sponsors will be announced and thanked at the final concert. |
Special Guest Instructors Announced!Thomas Blumberg Jazz Quartet:
Coming out of Southern Cal, the Thomas Blumberg Jazz Quartet features four impressive musicians: Thomas Blumberg on guitar, Eric Bell on keys, Cole Sainberg on bass, and Nico Vasquez on drums. They will be holding an "in-event" clinic at the Cuesta College workshop and later in the evening a special show at WOODSTOCK PIZZA on Tuesday, July 11, from 6PM - 8PM. They will be performing special shows through the week, which we will have announced tomorrow. Inga Swearingen: Local singer sensation Inga Swearingen, long a local jazz fan favorite, will grace the Wednesday workshop session with a special workshop on using your voice as an instrument and song writing. We truly can't wait! “ "Inga Swearingen’s melodies unfold like Virginia Woolf’s best sentences, patiently building to an expected climax before transcending it like a sweet exhalation of air.” — American Songwriter Inga Swearingen
Miro Sprague Trio:
Pianist, Composer, Bandleader Miro Sprague will visit with the workshop on Thursday morning then continue his tour Thursday evening 6:30PM at Libretto in Paso Robles (Show Info HERE). Joining Miro will be Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and Dan Schnelle on drums. “Miro Sprague is a very gifted young pianist. His lyrical and harmonic senses are beautiful and adventurous. Even though he has a great technical command of the instrument, his technique always serves the story that he is telling. I look for great things from him in the very near future.” — Billy Childs, Grammy Award Winning Pianist and Composer ![]() Above: 2017 SLO Jazz Festival Youth Stage with a Student combo from the Summer Jazz Workshop. The Summer Jazz Workshop band gets opportunity to perform at the following year's jazz festival. Here's a combo from 2015 performing at the 2016 SLO Jazz Festival:
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(below) Photos from the 2016 - 2019 Summer Jazz Workshop. PJ Images took 2017 photos. 2018 photos by Dann Graham. 2016 photos by Andrew Ross, AR Photography, except as noted. 2019 photos by Scott Andrews.