"I wanted to take a moment to let you know how much I truly enjoyed my week at your jazz camp. I was particularly impressed with your discussions about how we lead our lives. Perhaps in doing os, you will help alleviate the negative connotations that musicians present. I, for one, don't smoke or do drugs simply because my body has to be there to support my mind."

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"I was totally thrilled with the efforts of my combo leader, Rich Armandi. Rich took the trouble to change some of the music (for a modern sound), taught us shout choruses and wrote out harmony lines for all of the horns to play behind the solos. We actually played 17 tunes during the week. He really went above and beyond."

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"I attended the second week of the jazz workshop this year for the fifth time. As always, it was a great learning experience."

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"I am continually amazed at the quality of the bass instructors. As always, every instructor I had direct contact with was very helpful, patient, and immediately spotted the areas that I needed help in. They went out of their way to make my experience worthwhile and pleasant."

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"I cannot imagine how you could assemble a finer group of musicians or people than the bass faculty. I hope to see you and the entire crew for many more years."

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"I attended the Summer Jazz Workshop (1st week), this being my second consecutive year. I thoroughly enjoyed my entire time there, including the 'Anyone Can Improvise' two-day seminar with Jamey."

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"Shelley Yoelin did not 'wing' or 'ad lib' what was done in each combo session. He came to each session knowing exactly what he wanted us to accompllish during that particular sitting, and frequently told us at the beginning of the session what he hoped to accomplish. From my perspective, he covered the 'jazz bases' quite successfully over five days."

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"This was an awesome experience. I am just a beginner and initially felt overwhelmed when I couldn't answer any questions on the theory test and was completely lost in theory class, but the master classes and combo classes (trombone) really helped. My instructor recognized immediately that I was just starting and never once 'talked down' to me but was constantly encouraging me. As a result, I left the workshop with some solid practice tips, knowledge of what to concentrate on, and most importantly, self-confidence."

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"Once again I am amazed at the personal growth I experienced at jazz camp. This is the fourth year I've attended and it's a beautiful thing that is facilitated through the workshops. Thank you and to the staff for the work to make it happen."

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"I wanted to send this email to tell you how much I enjoyed my first workshop. The reason I came was to not only improve my improvising, but to be a resource for the students and directors of the school district I teach in. In general, the things I came away with were things to practice on throughout the year, materials to use with students, a new awareness of the forms of jazz pieces from the concerts, a very positive outlook with my own playing, and an idea on how to use the Volume 24 'Major & Minor' play along with young students."

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"I would like to express my gratitude to you. Your willingness to impart your knowledge of jazz and sharing your life experiences has inspired me and countless people around the world who want to learn how to play jazz."

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"Thanks for such a wonderful week of jazz. I have learned a great deal from you and the tutors. You have been a teacher, friend, and father figure to me and I will never forget the experience I had."

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"Thank you once again for your tireless efforts in imparting jazz."

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"A quick note to say what an excellent experience it was to come to the summer workshop. It was well worth the trip from Switzerland."

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"You have an astonishing team of educators that I am sure is unmatched, and the listening opportunities were of an extraordinary quality."

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"This year was my first experience at one of your jazz camps and I felt urged to write about it. What these jazz camps have accomplished along with the play alongs is truly remarkable."

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"Due to the workshops, learning jazz has become more accessible than ever before."

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"Personally, I am very grateful for what has been offered as a novice in the jazz arena. I have played piano all of my life, but only began studying jazz about two years ago. It has opened up whole new vistas for me and has become one of the most challenging endavors I have ever undertaken."

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"It was a pleasure to be in David Baker's theory class, not only for his incredible musical skills, but also to enjoy his humor and wisdom. I have more than enough material from his class to study for the next year!"

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"The piano mastery classes were quite valuable. It was wonderful to be able to discuss all sorts of ideas and ask questions of some really fine musicians. I have those classes on tape and can revisit them during the year."

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"Great collection of heavy-hitting jazz faculty, who's playing inspired everyone."

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"Generosity, experience, positive spirit, sense of humor and exceptionally effective communication skills of the jazz faculty. The ability and willingness to communicate at this level is, in my experience, rare and special."

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"Thanks for a wonderful workshop (from a 58 year old beginning guitar player)."

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"For me, the best experience was the faculty concerts, also the weekend before rhythm section primer."

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"I just want your team to know what an amazing job they did with this workshop. The organization, logistics, materials, focus, performances, professionalism, and overall sprirt of the event were a big inspiration for me and I can't give enough thanks for all the work the team did to make this happen."

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"I can't thank everyone enough for the great experience our group had at the workshop. We brought 13 kids and 5 adults and every individual came away with valuable lessons learned, musically, socially, and spiritully. Everyone from the beginning student, to the experienced jazz educator, to the professional musician, to the church pianist were significantly affected."

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"I had a great time at the workshop. It was my first time ... I have only been playing sax for 3 years. I learned what I need to work on for the next year and how to do it. I understand so much more ... thanks."

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"I was trying to figure out just what is jazz ... I THINK I GOT IT ... thanks again ... hope to see you next year."

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"I attended the first week of the workshop including the preceding Bass/Drum/Guitar workshop primer. I'm 54 years old and I have seen and heard many talented and inspiring musicians in my time, but not as many talented and inspiring music educators."

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"I had a great time at the workshop. My first time there, but I hope not my last. Thanks so much for doing them each year. I wish I had known about them 40 years ago, but better late than never!"

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"I wanted to express my overwhelming enjoyment I experienced at the workshop. I also took advantage of the 2-Day Bass/Drum/Guitar workshop primer. The instructors were all top-notch, knowledgeable and very approachable. I learned a lot during the 7 days and realized I have even more to learn."

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"With all of the instruction I received, I know have a solid practice routine and topics to study for the entire year (until the next workshop). I've been challenged and motivated beyond my expectations. It's difficult to put into words the valuable experience I have gained."

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"When I finally got up enough courage to sign up for the workshop, it was late June. I called Jason and we had a good chat, which finally convinced me to 'take the risk.' Jason did a great job responding to my concerns, and did so without 'selling' the workshop, and yet, here I was, a 58 year old who decided to take up tenor sax 18 months ago without any musical background whatsoever! I was still terrified after making the decision to attend, but kept telling myself that the workshop would confirm whether it was worth continuing with this silly idea to play the sax. After being home for two weeks, I have to say the answer is YES!"

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"Without a doubt, the workshop was amazing!"

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"It's like a language. You learn the alphabet, which are the scales. You learn the sentences, which are the chords, then you talk extemporaneously with the horn. It's a wonderful thing ..."

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"I learned so much during the weekend and the first week of the workshop. In fact, I had learned more in the first 2 days of Dan Haerle's theory class that I could actually use and that made sense to me. This was after taking 2 years of of theory in college which was terrible. Randy Salman was my combo leader and he just turned the light on for me ... things that are basic to a jazz guy, but not to a rock/R&B player like myself ... it finally came alive and made sense. Shelley Yoelin ran our master class and he too made things just make sense."

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"All in all it was a great investment in my musical life ... thanks to all of the faculty and staff."