Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops 2008

Jamey Aebersold has helped beginning, intermediate and advanced jazz players for years with his play-alongs, instruction books and DVDs. I had an opportunity to attend his camp this year and I must say, it was one of the most beneficial and enjoyable experiences of my musical life. Below is brief description of what I experienced.

Theory & Ear Training

Every morning started with theory classes. Placement in these classes was based on the results of short theory test taken on Sunday. There are five levels of classes which cover all levels of theory knowledge. I found myself in Jamey’s theory class and it was a good placement for me. I knew a lot of the stuff discussed but not on a deep level. Jamey showed us several ways to improve on our knowledge with clear examples and exercises. The popular class was David Baker’s. From what I understood most of material was based on his Bebop books. I was tempted to go there but I wanted to stick with my game plan of making my basic knowledge more solid (especially based on my difficulties completing the theory test). Maybe next year I will be ready for his class.

Emphasis was not just on scales, chords and the like. There was a lot of discussion about the importance of training your ear. We worked on recognizing major vs. minor chords, intervals and even chord sequences (ascending & descending chromatics, major & minor thirds, whole steps, etc). My ear wasn’t as bad as I thought and the suggestions for practicing to improve the ear were very good.

Master Classes / Instructors

Every day we attended a master class that talked about the specifics of your instrument and the challenges associated with playing jazz on it. We had a chance to talk with Jim Rontondi, Jim Ketch, Pat Harbison and others. The final day was a Q&A session with all of the instructors and it was really helpful.

You also see instructors in the halls and during lunch or dinner. Everyone that I ran into was always prepared to talk music and answer any questions you may have. One of the best things that I got during the camp was an impromptu lesson with Jim Ketch on recognizing various bebop phrases in solos.

Combo Classes

Everyone is placed in combos based on audition performance. On average most of the groups had 6-7 players. The combos were lead by faculty musicians and they provided feedback on everyone’s playing. Group concepts were the focus but we also got some great advice on attacking specific tunes, styles and changes. Each combo member received a write up of what the instructor thinks they need to work on at the end of the week. My instructor was a wonderful guitar player named Craig Wagner. Craig could really play.  I could listen to this cat strum chord changes all day long.  Maybe one day I'll figure out how to play this horn and I can ask him to join me a gig.  He's a big Jim Hall fan and I love Art Farmer so it's a match made in heaven.  He was also really cool and offered some great advice to everyone.

In addition to playing in the student combos, each class had an opportunity to play with the instructors. Rhythm section players played with professional horn players while horn players played with pro rhythm players. This was pretty intimidating but also very cool. It is amazing how easy it is to sound good with a great rhythm section. I found myself playing less because they sounded fantastic without me!

Concerts

If you want to learn to play jazz it is very important to attend live performances. You certainly get your fill listening to some of the finest players in the world at Jamey’s camp. During lunch we were treated with music so good you forgot you were supposed to be eating. Evenings were always wrapped up with a concert that sent you to bed on fire and hungry to learn more the following morning. There were several different musician combinations including piano, guitar and even a hammond B3 organ.

It was great to see an instructor show by example the direction he provided in the classroom. It was also nice to see the musicians interact and enjoy themselves on the bandstand. Some of my favorite players included Jim Rotondi, Pat Harbison, Jim Ketch, Bobby Floyd, Ralph Bowen, Steve Davis (trombone), Steve Davis (drums), Tim Armacost, David Stryker and the electric Antonio Hart. There were several others but I wasn’t smart enough to get their names. The music alone was worth the camp fees. It was really, really good.

Best of all, recording these performances was encouraged. I’ve got some great stuff to listen to over the next few months.

Miscellaneous

A few random thoughts...

My sight reading is horrible and it showed in the combo classes. In many instances we played tunes by breaking up portions of the melody. I tanked on just about every song we covered and I know my band mates were sick of me. The good news is I usually got it right the second (or third) time around. Needless to say sight reading is on my list of things to work on.

You see a lot of negative press about young people in the news today. Most of the kids I met here were respectful, cool and just downright great to be around. The US needs to look at the direct connection between the deterioration of music programs in schools and how that relates to some of our problems with youth.

I need to work on playing my patterns, licks and tunes at faster speeds. In many cases I knew the songs but not at a fast speed. At one lesson I remember Graham Breedlove telling me that I should prepare for tunes at a faster speed than usual. He equated it swinging two bats before stepping to the plate in baseball. It’s great advice that I have to remember in the future.

Being a 40 year old man who considers himself a bit of an introvert, I wasn’t looking forward to dorm life. At the camp you share your room with another camper and your bathroom with four other campers in an adjoining room. All in all it turned out great. My roommate was cool and they keep you so busy you are only in your room to sleep and wash up. It really was a non-issue.

Combo and master class rooms can be cramped.  Be sure to take a shower and wear deodorant.

When I got off the plane at camp we were greeted by folks who work with Aebersold.  The woman who met me (Gigi) recognized my name because I order so much stuff.  I thought that was hilarious and proof that I need to put myself on a book/play-along budget.

The camp had people from all over the world and different age groups. My roommate was from Japan and there was a woman in my combo from Switzerland. I played in a jam session with a man in his 80s and Friday night I played Watermelon man with a 11 year old from Korea. Everyone got along great. There was a universal friendship there that I don’t think I’ve found any where else. The world could learn a ton about foreign relations watching Jamey’s camp. Someone told me that a kid said we should be dropping play-alongs and instruments instead of bombs to solve the world’s problems. I think they’re on to something there.

Jamey Aebersold is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. His love for jazz and people is obvious as you watch him work. He also has a great sense of humor and his energy level is incredible. When people start talking about ambassadors of jazz his name must be at the top of the list. God bless him.

Yes, I will be going back next year. I hope to see you there too.

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