By Karl Nerenberg
JazzWorks, a feisty local arts education organization, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this spring with a concert series and a Great Big Jam Session.
JazzWorks 30th anniversary concert. Photo provided.
To kick off the festivities on May 2, there will be a Vocal Dinner Show, featuring eight singers who have taken part in JazzWorks’ monthly Vocal Open Mics, backed by a group of top professional players. It takes place at Festival Japan Restaurant on Kent St.
On Saturday May 3, the main attraction is a Young Artists’ Concert, featuring some of the best young professional jazz musicians in the country, who, as teenagers, were once campers at JazzWorks camp. JazzWorks also collaborates with music teachers during the school year, and two Ottawa high school jazz bands will open the Young Artists’ concert at the Centretown United Church on Bank St.
Finally, on May 4, starting at 3:30pm and continuing well into the evening, JazzWorks will host a Great Big Jam Session at the Westboro Legion on Richmond Road.
A JazzWorks jam session. Photo provided.
“Everyone is welcome to come listen, play and celebrate JazzWorks’ 30th anniversary with us,” says Humenick.
With a focus on community, adult jazz musicians, and mentoring talented youth, the mission of JazzWorks is to provide an inclusive opportunity for musicians at all skill levels to learn about and play all varieties of jazz. JazzWorks organizes jam sessions, vocal open mics, concerts, workshops, and an annual residential jazz camp.
“What sets JazzWorks apart is that we are welcoming to both adults and young people – and that we will find a place for all who want to attend.”—Judith Humenick, JazzWorks founder
JazzWorks got off the ground in 1994 with a two-day camp. Founder and Executive Director/Producer Judith Humenick was inspired by her experience teaching at the Saskatchewan School for the Arts, where she saw curious adults clamouring to sit in on jazz workshops aimed at teenage musicians.
A JazzWorks jam session. Photo provided.
The response of campers was so enthusiastic that JazzWorks camp became an annual event, now comprising a three-day Composers’ Symposium and Practice Retreat, followed by a three-day Jazz Camp.
This year the camp will take place during the last week of August at the Music Centre owned by the Canadian Amateur Music Association (CAMMAC) at Lac MacDonald, 90 minutes from Ottawa, in the Laurientians. Seventeen top professional jazz artist/educators will coach 70+ campers who love to sing or play traditional jazz instruments like saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, drums, guitar, or piano, as well as some less common ones like accordion, violin, flute, vibes, clarinet and harmonica.
A JazzWorks jam session. Photo provided.
Humenick points out that while there are lots of jazz camps across the country, none are quite like JazzWorks.
“What sets JazzWorks apart is that we are welcoming to both adults and young people – and that we will find a place for all who want to attend, regardless of their level of musical proficiency,” Humenick says.
Over the years, jazz campers and faculty members based in Ottawa have formed a special kind of community. JazzWorks monthly jam sessions and vocal open mics are warm and welcoming reunions for the community, a chance for music lovers of all ages to connect with people who share their passion for jazz and, especially, for the art of collective improvisation.
“The interaction among generations has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our work,” says Humenick.
To find out more about JazzWorks’ activities, including the 30th Anniversary events May 2-4, go to their website. F0r those interested in the camp, registration is still open.
Karl Nerenberg is a journalist and filmmaker who reports on politics for rabble.ca. He also plays jazz piano.
.gif)
