saxplorer
Well-Known Member
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- Surrey, UK
or ... My Big Adventure Part III
Three years ago, having played sax for about a year, I decided I needed to find out what it was like to play with others. A little winter sun seemed a good idea at the time too, so I found, more or less with a pin in atlas, the "America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society" and the Adult Jazz Camp to be held in San Diego in January. "Beginners welcome" it said!
http://dixielandjazzfestival.org/jazzcamp.html
Well it was a real education. Mostly, what I learned was how little I knew, about playing in a band, about the conventions of Dixieland Jazz, about polyphonic improvisation. But I loved it. The people were wonderful and welcoming, I got to play a LOT and no one minded when I messed up: the music was energetic, fun, with a balance of structure and freedom that I loved. The instructors were skilled and filled with a love of the music.
So I went the next year (2011) and, knowing a little more, was able to hold my own just a little better. Last year I had to skip for various reasons, but I am going again this year!, leaving on Wednesday.
Here is a clip featuring four of the instructors, Clint Baker on Trombone (he can play just about everything), Katie Cavera on guitar, Marty Eggars on bass and Hal Smith on drums
The way they do things is to constantly mix things up so you get to play with a different band every hour. We have eight tunes to prepare, so things get going pretty quickly. And it amazes me how seven strangers can make instant music that sometimes sounds pretty good.
I'm taking my sop, as I feel it fits the style better than the alto which I took before, so I'm hoping my intonation will not be too painful on the ears.
Wish me luck!
Three years ago, having played sax for about a year, I decided I needed to find out what it was like to play with others. A little winter sun seemed a good idea at the time too, so I found, more or less with a pin in atlas, the "America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society" and the Adult Jazz Camp to be held in San Diego in January. "Beginners welcome" it said!
http://dixielandjazzfestival.org/jazzcamp.html
Well it was a real education. Mostly, what I learned was how little I knew, about playing in a band, about the conventions of Dixieland Jazz, about polyphonic improvisation. But I loved it. The people were wonderful and welcoming, I got to play a LOT and no one minded when I messed up: the music was energetic, fun, with a balance of structure and freedom that I loved. The instructors were skilled and filled with a love of the music.
So I went the next year (2011) and, knowing a little more, was able to hold my own just a little better. Last year I had to skip for various reasons, but I am going again this year!, leaving on Wednesday.
Here is a clip featuring four of the instructors, Clint Baker on Trombone (he can play just about everything), Katie Cavera on guitar, Marty Eggars on bass and Hal Smith on drums
The way they do things is to constantly mix things up so you get to play with a different band every hour. We have eight tunes to prepare, so things get going pretty quickly. And it amazes me how seven strangers can make instant music that sometimes sounds pretty good.
I'm taking my sop, as I feel it fits the style better than the alto which I took before, so I'm hoping my intonation will not be too painful on the ears.
Wish me luck!
Last edited by a moderator:
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also can we have a video of you in one of the bands pleaseee 
