• June 19th, 2023 through June 23rd, 2023 – 9 AM – 4 PM
• At Yuba River Charter School – Grass Valley, CA
• 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: $299
Click to Register for Sierra Jazz Camp
Additional Information: Students need to bring their instruments and their own lunch and drinks (no shared meals will be provided). A Briar Patch lunch option is available for an additional $100 fee.
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!
Faculty
Matt Langley – Saxophones & Camp Director
Matt Langley has studied with Lou Marini of Saturday Night Live, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland. He has recorded extensively with the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet, his own group, Color, with pianist Pandelis Karayorgis’ group System of 5, and with Mike Effenberger’s weirdturnpro. Mr. Langley has also 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. Since moving to Northern California in 2020, Matt has become active on the music scene in Nevada County and the surrounding area.
Tommy Coster – Piano, Theory, Composition, Music Production & Marketing
By the age of 11 years old, Tommy had co-written his first published song with Carlos Santana, titled “Zulu”, which was included on Santana’s “Moonflower” album in 1977. At 12 he received his first gold album from this collaboration and at 19 Tommy moved to Boston to study “Jazz Composition” at Berklee College of Music.
After co-writing and producing several jazz records with his father, Tommy moved to Los Angeles in 1992 to start a new chapter in his musical career. In 1998 Coster scored his first film for Miramax, and rapper Master P, titled “I Got The Hook Up”. In 1999 Tommy started working with Dr Dre which resulted in him co-writing one of the biggest songs in the history of hip hop with Dr. Dre and Eminem, titled “The Real Slim Shady”. Tommy went on to work with several other artists resulting in the sales of over 80 Million records. Tommy is a 2X Grammy Award Winning writer with several gold and multi platinum awards as well, including 2 RIAA Diamond Awards, certifying over 10 Million copies sold of the “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “Curtian Call” in the United States alone. Only 150 projects in the history of the music business have every reached this level of achievement. Tommy has also been an active film and TV composer with more than 500 credits on IMDB.
Gerry Pineda – Bass
Initially self-taught, Gerry began his formal double bass studies in high school while living in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied with Barry Green and Richard Topper at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Upon graduating high school Gerry moved to Southern California to atte,nd Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. After two years, Gerry transferred to California State University Sacramento where he received a BM in Jazz Studies and an MM in Double Bass Performance.
Gerry has been a professor of Jazz Studies at California State University Sacramento, since 2005 teaching applied jazz bass, jazz improvisation/ theory and directing various jazz combos. Along with his teaching duties at California State University Sacramento, Gerry maintains a private studio, busy gig schedule and serves as a clinician and adjudicator at regional jazz workshops and festivals. Gerry has performed with these artists: Nick Fryer, Joe Gilman, Eddie Harris, Brian Kendrick, Patrick Langham, Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Mazzaferro, Tim Reis, Greg Tardy and Ernie Watts.
Tim Bulkley – Drums
Tim is known for a musical, intuitive approach to drumming. He grew up taking piano lessons, taking art classes, singing in choirs & studying the drums. His professional career as a musician started early and has stayed a constant for over 25 years. He has played and recorded with artists including Dayna Stephens, Michelle Amador, Goh Nakamura, Evan Francis, Anton Schwartz, The Invisible Cities, John Lester, Postmodern Jukebox, Adam Platt, Stacey Kent, Boz Scaggs, Peter Bernstein, Telepathy, Wil Blades, Dandelion Dance Company and BodyVox Dance. Tim spent the years of 2006 – 2017 living and working in Brooklyn NY & 2000 – 2006 living and working in San Francisco CA. Both have informed and inspired how Tim plays music & makes art. Tim began making visual art in 2008 [ after a long hiatus since high school ] and has enjoyed exploring & growing there as well. He has sold works to several individuals since.