Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Summer Jazz Workshops. We strongly suggest you read ALL of the questions. If you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to discuss any of your concerns.

• How do I sign up?
• Who attends the week-long workshops?
• What level of players attend and how will I fit in?
• How can people get in touch with me when I'm at the workshop?
• But what if there really IS an emergency at home?
• What if something comes up and I can't make it to the workshop?
• Will I get a receipt for my payments?
• Can I charge the balance I owe with a Credit Card?
• Can I get graduate credit for the workshop?
• What about my bonus Play-A-Long for paying in full?
• What do I do after I apply?
• What do I need to bring with me?

In order to sign up for our workshops, you must first complete the application and Code of Conduct Form (if you are under 18). You can get an application online by clicking HERE, or you can call us at 1-800-456-1388 x5 and get one in the mail. You can also register online.

- Back to Top -

Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Workshops are for any mature student who is SERIOUS about improvising and the jazz idiom. We accept mature participants of ALL ages, and definitely ALL instruments, including rhythm section players, vocalists and string players. Basically, if you really want to get better at jazz improv, this is the place for you.

We typically have 400 participants at each of the Week-long Workshops. We generally attract approximately 50% ages 16 to 19 and 50% adults, ages 25 on up to 80+!. Believe it or not, we've had students as young as 8 and as old as 86!

While every individual who attends is unique, there are a few typical profiles that we'd like to mention (in no particular order) because we see these folks represented year after year:

• We always have a number of music educators or music professionals who want to learn more about jazz improv, either for their own enjoyment/improvement or so that they may teach others.

• We always get a lot of professionals in other fields (firemen, lawyers, doctors, construction workers, etc. The list is almost endless) for whom music is their passion and hobby.

• We get classically trained players who have lots of experience on their instrument (some of them leading players in their ensembles) but practically NO experience improvising! Often, these excellent and highly-trained musicians have secretly been fascinated and frightened by the prospect of improvising.

• We especially get a lot of people who used to play when they were younger, but for whatever reasons gave it up. Well, now they've got the time to try it again, and they want to play Jazz, and they want to do it right!

If any of these profiles sounds like you, then you have no reason to miss this year's Workshops!

We do consider this to be an ADULT program. Younger students must be TOTALLY responsible for themselves for the week, though there are a lot of adults around to help out if there's a problem. PARENTS, Please NOTE: If you don't KNOW your child is ready to handle being treated like an adult and being completely on their own for a week, then please consider waiting before registering them. This is NOT the place to "find out" if they can handle it. Please read NOTE TO PARENTS OF APPLICANTS 17 AND YOUNGER

We always have participants from most all 50 States, as well as from all over the globe, including these recently-represented countries: Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Norway, Germany, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Japan, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Papua New Guinea, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Israel, and Canada.

- Back to Top -

We have every level of jazz improvisation represented, from people who are just beginning to improvise on up to professionals who know this is the best place to polish up on their improv skills. You DO need to have at least a basic grasp of your instrument, and certainly the more you know the more you'll be able to benefit. The more you know your scales and chords, the better.

There are several ways in which your level is determined once you arrive on campus:

• AUDITIONS - On Sunday afternoon, the first day of the workshop, you will take a very brief audition with select faculty members who will be teaching your instrument during the week. They will take a few minutes to get to know you, and then will ask you to play a little. It's very informal, and there's nothing to be nervous about. Remember, this is not a competition. It's to make sure that you are placed in the proper Combo/Group. When all the auditions are done (around 4:30pm on Sunday afternoon), the faculty gather to compare notes, and they place each person in a group with others that seem to be of the same level of improv ability. This is also how you may be placed for the master classes on your instrument. Read more about your audition.

• THEORY QUIZ - Also on Sunday afternoon, you must take a one page theory quiz to determine your placement for the Jazz Theory Classes. This one-page quiz covers a number of different types of questions, and is designed so as to give the faculty some way to gauge your current grasp of jazz theory and nomenclature. It's really the kind of thing where you may know everything or you may know nothing. How you score will tell us what we need to know. Remember, this is not any kind of competition. It's to make sure that you are placed in the proper Jazz Theory class. If you don't know anything on the quiz, you should just write your name at the top (with your workshop ID number!) and turn it back in blank. Many people say, "Oh, but I know a lot more theory than I can play!" Our response is always, "Friend, we ALL know more theory than we can play!" That's the whole point of our Workshops; to improve your knowledge of jazz theory, then work out what you've learned in a real, live, hands-on playing situation.

With so many people at the workshop, you can be assured we'll do our best to find a group that's just right for you, no matter what your level of improv ability or jazz experience is. There's nothing to be afraid of!

- Back to Top -

They can NOT. It's really up to YOU to get in touch with THEM. You should check in regularly with the folks back home. Incoming calls should ONLY come in the case of a critical emergency, and you really need to stress that to your folks back home. With over 400 participants, many of them switching classes every hour or so, tracking someone down to say, "Your wife/parent/guardian wants to know how you feel today," or, "Jimmy, your mom wants to know if you made it okay," is impossible.

We can not stress enough: WE CAN NOT ACCEPT INCOMING PHONE CALLS.

- Back to Top -

If there is an actual emergency at home, try calling the School of Music at 502-852-0522 or Jamey Aebersold Jazz at 800-456-1388 (9am-5pm EST/EDT M-F). Especially on that first weekend when things are getting started, it's almost impossible to get in touch with us, and it may be MORE impossible to find who you are looking for. We're out doing things like making airport runs and helping folks find the dorms, etc. Emergency callers should be patient and keep trying. We will do our best to find you are looking for.

As noted before, it's difficult to track people down during the week, but we will work as quickly as we can to get messages to the participants. Again, it's best if you occasionally check in with the folks at home so they don't need to call us.

- Back to Top -

Our refund policy might be the best you will ever find! If you have to cancel for ANY reason at ANY time, we will refund all of your money except for the non-refundable deposit (see below) which we keep to cover the costs of paperwork/postage, etc. This applies even if you don't show up and don't tell us (but, please let us know when possible as space is limited and there may be someone waiting to fill your spot!). In all cases, refund checks will be mailed typically by August 1st.

- Back to Top -

All fees must be paid in full by June 1st. The registration packet serves as the receipt for your initial deposit or payment, but we generally will NOT send you a receipt for payments beyond your initial one. The volume of paperwork is just too overwhelming. You can, at any time, call us if you are in need of a receipt and we will be happy to make one for you.

- Back to Top -

In order to keep our costs at a minimum, we cannot accept credit card payment for the Summer Jazz Workshops unless you reside outside the United States. We accept VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, or Discover Card for any purchases made in the Discount Jazz Store during the Workshops or anytime at www.jazzbooks.com

- Back to Top -

As of 2009, we can no longer offer Graduate Credit for the Summer Jazz Workshops.

- Back to Top -

You must pay IN FULL by JUNE 1st. If your registration arrives after June (with a June 1st), or even a couple weeks before, you may not receive your Play-A-Long with your registration packet. Don't worry, we haven't forgotten. Your name will be on a list with MANY others who are entitled to the free Play-A-Long. The list will be available in the Jazz Discount Bookstore starting on TUESDAY. Just approach the checkout table and say, "I think I get a free Play-A-Long." We will check the list. There is probably a GOOD reason if your name is NOT on the list and you think it is SUPPOSED to be. Just find or ask for Jason and he will gladly review your materials to see if a mistake was made. Remember, the bonus only includes one of Jamey Aebersold's Play-A-Long volumes.

- Back to Top -

You will get your registration packet in the mail shortly after you apply. The materials inside are EXTREMELY important, and it is EXTREMELY important that you review ALL the materials immediately AND just before you arrive at the workshop. Keep in mind these IMPORTANT tasks:

• Send in your balance BEFORE June 1st.
• If you are flying, please give us flight information BEFORE June 1st.
• If you have a roommate request, please tell us BEFORE June 1st.
• If you need equipment; amps, drums, mic's, etc., tell us BEFORE June 1st.

Failure to do these things may make it impossible for us to help meet your needs! Most importantly, practice, practice, practice! The more you know, the more you'll get out of the week.

Back to Top

Here is a checklist of items you MUST bring with you to the Workshops:

• Your instrument
• Instrument extras; Reeds, Valve Oil, Strings, Cables, Extention Cords, batteries, etc.
• BED LINENS; 1 fitted sheet, 1 sheet (single bed) AND a blanket. Regular Twin Sheets are typically too small; extra long twin sheets are best. Better your sheets be bigger, than too small.
• Towels
• Washcloths
• Pillow and Pillowcase
• Alarm Clock
• Pen, Pencils, Notebook Paper
• A CELL PHONE and Phone Numbers to CALL HOME

Here is checklist of suggested items to bring with you to the Workshops:

• Manuscript Paper
• Audio Recorder (NO Video)

- Back to Top -