Poughkeepsie Day School Hosts Fifth Annual Summer Jazz Camp Internationally known jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins is visiting guest artist

Posted by Harlem Valley News Posted on July 28, 2016
Posted in Amenia, Beekman, Dover, Education, News, North East, Patterson, Pawling, Sherman, Southeast, Stanford, Union Vale, Washington

 

Poughkeepsie Day School Hosts Fifth Annual Summer Jazz Camp
Internationally known jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins is visiting guest artist

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Poughkeepsie, NY – June 28, 2016– PDS is pleased to announce that famed jazz-guitarist, Jack Wilkins, is guest artist for PDS Jazz Camp 2016! Guitarist Jack Wilkins (http://www.jackwilkins.com/homepage/) has been on the International jazz scene since the early 1970’s. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, and Buddy Rich among many others. In recent years, Jack has played international festivals with jazz greats including Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, The Mingus Epitaph, 5 Guitars play Mingus, Red Rodney, Ira Sullivan and Johnny Griffin. A consummate accompanist, Jack has played and recorded with renowned singers Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano, Chris Conner, Cassandra Wilson and Jay Clayton. Jack was awarded an NEA grant in recognition of his work and contribution to the guitar. He teaches at The New School, Manhattan School of Music, NYU, and LIU.

The Poughkeepsie Day School summer Jazz Camp, now in its fifth year, is designed to build instrumental skills and promote music appreciation as well as to foster leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and more. The camp runs from August 1 – 5 (Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm) and will be held in the Town of Poughkeepsie independent school’s air-conditioned Kenyon House. Open to Hudson Valley area students of all levels—beginning to advanced, ages 12 to 18—the camp features professional area musicians as teachers as well as visiting guest artists. Past guests have included Grammy Award-nominated jazz percussionist Gerry “Thrasher” Gibbs (https://gerrygibbsmusic.com/); jazz bassist Ira Coleman (http://www.iracoleman.com); jazz drummer, composer and arranger Dennis Mackrel (http://dennismackrelmusic.com); and Grammy Award-nominated jazz trombonist and composer Roswell Rudd (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_Rudd).
The camp’s co-director, Bill Fiore, notes many unique attributes that make it attractive to area youth. “Poughkeepsie Day School has a pool of amazingly talented and experienced jazz musicians already on faculty. These are individuals who are known not only for their ability to produce world-class jazz, but also for their demonstrated success in teaching and desire to pass the torch to this next generation of jazz artists.
Ken McGloin, the camp’s co-founder, points out that the facility is centrally located, comfortable, beautiful and historic. “For years, kids that are serious about  jazz have been traveling to New York or Connecticut for progressive jazz instruction. Now, they can find it right here in the Hudson Valley.” Participation has nearly doubled since the inaugural session, with many students returning for a second year.

For more information and to register:  http://poughkeepsieday.org/programs/summer-camps.

Contact:

Andrea Tufts

atufts@poughkeepsieday.org

845.462.7600, ext. 113

Author: Harlem Valley News