Unfortunately, we’ve canceled our plans for the 2022 Sierra Jazz Camp. We plan to present some clinics in the fall and winter. We plan to come back in the Summer of 2023 with a robust jazz camp experience.
at Yuba River Charter School
10085 Adam Avenue, Grass Valley, CA 95945
• All instrumentalists and vocalists welcome.
Advanced Middle School Students through Adults!
• Get Jazz Experience in Combo and Large Ensemble Formats!
Jazz Camp is a fun, focused, and supportive environment. You’ll jam with motivated peers and study with a faculty of professional musicians and educators.
TUITION: $499*
* Special offer available for YRCS Students
Daily Schedule:
9:00-9:30 – Arrival, Instrumental/Vocal warmups
9:30 – 10:45 – Combo Rehearsals
11:00 – Noon – Instrumental Master Classes
alternating with improv classes daily
Noon – 1:00 – Lunch then outdoor activities
1:00 – 2:30 – Large Ensemble Rehearsals
2:45: – 3:45 – Theory Classes or Jam Sessions
4:00 – Departure to go home and PRACTICE!
Our Faculty
Ken French – Piano
Ken has been performing jazz professionally for many decades on the San Francisco scene and as far a field as Japan and the Atlantic seaboard. A compelling soloist, thoughtful accompanist, dynamic ensemble leader, and sought after arranger, Ken is a very busy man as in addition to being accompanist, arranger and musical director with Clairdee.
www.triobzf.com/French
Beth Duncan – Vocals
Beth Duncan is a vibrant jazz vocalist and broadcast journalist from Sacramento. She applies her warm, robust contralto to a collection of finely crafted tunes on her long-awaited third album, I’m All Yours. Duncan’s first recording, ’Orange Colored Sky’ established Beth as one of Northern California’s leading jazz vocalists and her 2012 follow-up‘Comes the Fall’debuted on the national radio at #26 right below Diana Krall, brought her international recognition, and won an Independent Music Award. More than her beautiful voice, Beth’s vocal interpretations maintain a strong undercurrent of love for life and joyful celebration for her art. www.bethduncan.com
Ruth Davies – Bass
Ruth’s discography includes several platinum and Grammy-winning CDs with jazz and blues greats. Ruth got her start with blues legend Charles Brown and has performed and recorded with Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Maria Muldaur, Keb’ Mo, Jimmy Witherspoon, Vassar Clements, Toots Thielemans, Ernie Watts, Jackie Ryan, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, among many others. Ruth currently plays with Elvin Bishop.
www.ruthdavies.com
John Girton – Guitar
John Giron is known for his work as lead guitarist/arranger with the group “Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.” John recorded 3 albums with the group, and also wrote and arranged material for them. He was also featured as guitarist, saxophonist, clarinetist, and occasional mandolinist with the popular vocalist, Maria Muldaur for many years. John is an instrumentalist, vocalist, recording artist, studio musician, and composer. His original songs are a mixture of jazz, swing, blues and folk music, with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure.
www.johngirton.com
Matt Langley – Saxophone
Matt studied briefly with Lou Marini, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland, but most of Matt’s education has come on the bandstand. He has recorded extensively with the Charlie Kolhlhase Quintet, his own group Color, with pianist Pandelis Karayorgis’ group System of 5, and with Mike Effenberger’s weirdturnpro. Mr. Langley has shared the stage or recording studio with Ron Carter, Richie Cole, Fred Hersch, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Matt Wilson, Tiger Okoshi, Roswell Rudd, Dave Douglas and many others.
David Clouse – Drums
David began his career playing with Ron Crotty from the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Terrell Eaton from Bonnie Raitt, and spent several years teaching, playing, and touring through-out the United States. Since 2012 David has been living in Nevada County and performs extensively with a long list of people that includes Bill Douglass, Achilles Wheel, Ralph Hammer (from Stevie Wonder), and Dream and the Dreamer, among others.