July 18-21, 2011
Register by June 1 for Early Bird Discount
Only $100 for all 4 Days! ($90 JIC Members) $120 ($108 for members) after June 1
The Jazz Institute of Chicago’s STRAIGHT AHEAD JAZZ SUMMER CAMP, designed in collaboration with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, invites music educators and adult learners to immerse themselves in jazz and strengthen aspects of their teaching, playing, or general knowledge of the music. Straight Ahead offers a variety of clinics, workshops, and other opportunities to practice what you teach and learn something new! Join your peers, jazz learners and connoisseurs for a 4-day experience centrally located at Columbia College Chicago’s South Loop campus.
Attend all four days and earn 30 CPDUs!
Download full brochure here
You can mail or fax the registration form to
Jazz Institute of Chicago
410 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60605
FAX: 312-427-1684
Questions? Call Education Director Diane Chandler-Marshall at 312.427.1676 x 4
Straight Ahead 2011 CURRICULUM
Round Table Discussion on Jazz Education
Monday, July 18, 9:30–11:00am
Moderator: Darius Hampton
Start the week by participating in this session with noted jazz educators, thinkers, and artists to discuss the past, present, and future of jazz education.
Jazz Instrument Labs
Tuesday–Thursday, July 19–21, 9:00–10:30am
Clinicians: Chicago Jazz Ensemble Musicians
These 3-part laboratory sessions offer broad study on several of the most common instruments in jazz: voice, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drum set. Examine the evolution of the instrument in different styles and ensembles. Come prepared to perform on your instrument as you study different skills and techniques.
Intro to the Jazz Combo
Tuesday–Thursday, July 19–21, 10:45am–12:15pm
Clinicians: Chicago Jazz Ensemble Musicians
This 3-part workshop introduces you to the unique challenges and opportunities associated with playing in a jazz combo as opposed to a jazz big band. Participate in a guided session of musical creation and interplay in the small jazz ensemble format.
Latin Jazz Styles
Tuesday–Wednesday, July 19–20, 10:45am–12:15pm
Clinician: José Diaz
This 2-part clinic explores history of the influence and interaction of traditional musical styles from Latin America with jazz. Learn the elements of various traditional styles and discover artists and developments that have defined and advanced the music to its present place.
Collective Improvisation
Thursday, July 21, 10:45am–12:15pm
Clinician: Mwata Bowden
Discard preconceived notions of ensemble music making in this interactive session. Think differently about the musical elements of harmony, rhythm, melody, form, and texture and apply these redefined ideas in a live performance with your peers.
Beginning Jazz Performance
Monday–Thursday, July 18–21, 1:45–3:15pm
Clinician: Chicago Jazz Ensemble Musician
This 4-part workshop is designed for people new to performing in the jazz idiom. Learn and interact with the elements that make jazz what it is, including the roles of the different instruments, common harmonic progressions, standard repertory, and improvisation.
Intermediate Jazz Improvisation
Monday–Thursday, July 18–21, 1:45–3:15pm
Clinician: Chicago Jazz Ensemble Musician
This 4-part workshop is designed for musicians with some familiarity playing and improvising with standard jazz repertory. During these sessions, take a fresh look at songs you may already know and refine or develop your skills in putting together a great improvised solo.
Advanced Jazz Improvisation
Monday–Thursday, July 18–21, 1:45–3:15pm
Clinician: Chicago Jazz Ensemble Musician
This 4-part workshop is designed for musicians ready to move beyond common harmonic progressions and rhythmic feels in their music-making. Take your scholarship and improvisational skills to the next level by studying the more contemporary jazz developments and artists.
The Walter Dyett Effect and DuSable High School’s Legacy
Monday, July 18, 1:45–3:15pm
presented by Mwata Bowden and Timuel Black
Walter Dyett spent over 30 years as a band director at DuSable High School. His provocative approach influenced Gene Ammons, Dorothy Donegan, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Jarman, Clifford Jordan, and Dinah Washington among others, and gave countless young people the tools and skills for success in a life in music and beyond. What can we learn from his practice today?
Jazz and Social Change: Brushing History Against the Grain
Tuesday, July 19, 1:45–3:15pm
presented by Kate Dumbleton
Part listening session, part discussion, this program considers jazz as a critical art practice and as an important agent in the development of alternative arts infrastructure and social justice advocacy.
Unsung Voices in Jazz
Wednesday, July 20, 1:45–3:15pm
presented by the Melba Liston Research Collective
In the writing of jazz in history books and textbooks, many composers, performers, and arrangers who contributed to the advancement and popularity of the genre have been excluded from the narrative. This workshop will examine some key musicians from this unsung but notable group.
Teaching Jazz History with Women in It!
Thursday, July 21, 1:45–3:15pm, 3:30–5:00pm
Clinicians: The Melba Liston Research Collective
Explore methodologies through which educators can implement inclusive perspectives in teaching jazz history/repertory. Draw pedagogy away from the standard “women in jazz” unit and create a more inclusive discussion of the musicians, communities, and larger institutions that contributed to the development of jazz culture in America.
Designing and Maintaining a Successful Jazz Education Program
Monday–Tuesday, July 18–19, 3:30–5:00pm
Clinician: Dick Dunscomb
This 2-part workshop provides a foundation on which to build a successful jazz program. Some of the questions you’ll explore include how to start a jazz program from scratch, building a basic library of charts, purchasing equipment, and how to start an improvisation program.
Latin Jazz Rhythm Section Studio
Monday–Wednesday, July 18–20, 3:30–5:00pm
Clinician: José Diaz
This 3-part workshop is designed for those who enjoy the feel of Latin music but have little to no experience playing the instruments or the particular styles. Practice rudiments and patterns for various percussion instruments, piano, guitar, and bass and then put it all together.
The Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Wednesday, July 20, 3:30–5:00pm
Clinician: Mimi Rohlfing Learn how to build and sustain a student vocal jazz ensemble. Discuss rehearsal methods, finding repertory and vocal exercises, and read through a vocal jazz arrangement or two using your own voices.
Rehearsing the Latin Jazz Ensemble
Thursday, July 21, 3:30–5:00pm
Clinician: José Diaz
In this workshop, participants form a Latin Jazz ensemble complete with horns, rhythm section, and written arrangements. Make music, have fun with your peers, and learn a bit about what it takes to make this music really sound great.
