A unique means of jazz education was developed in 1959 by Stan Kenton, a prominent jazz musician, and Ken Morris, a ballroom operator. The pair decided to start a summer camp, or clinic, as a means to properly teach the styles of jazz to as many youths as possible. At the time jazz was hard to find in American high schools, so Kenton decided that there should be an outlet for all those interested in jazz to learn.
 

The clinics were set to be hosted on different college campuses and last for one week at a time. The very first clinic was held at Indiana University and more sessions were later added at different campuses across the country. Later clinics would be hosted at Michigan State, Southern Methodist, San Jose State, and the University of Redlands.
 

Kenton staffed his camp with other professional musicians. However, the staff did not receive any formal salary. The staff members would perform shows in nearby venues to earn some extra cash. The students truly benefited by learning from such elite jazz musicians.
 

Each clinic followed a similar routine. First, students performed an auditioned and placed into groups of similar skill level. The students would then attend class in the morning and rehearse with their band in the afternoon. The Kenton Band would then perform a small concert for the students each night. On the last day, students would play a concert with their bands for the parents and fellow students. Overall, the clinics were truly immersive jazz experiences or as Kenton called it taking a “bath in jazz.”
 

The Stan Kenton Summer Jazz Clinics created a model that would be followed by many. The first of the spinoffs were created by Jamey Aebersold. Aebersold attended the Kenton clinics and enjoyed his experience, but he felt that the entire curriculum is focused on big band performances. The lack of education regarding individual soloing concerned Aebersold, so he started the first combo camp. The combo camps were an instant success and allowed for the emphasis of scales, chords, listening, and methodical practicing to be “introduced to the world of jazz education.”

Today the camp model has been taken by many different organizations and it is likely that one can be found in any state. Several links to modern camps:

• http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/music/jazzcamp.html
• https://www.nyhotjazzcamp.com/about
• http://music.buffalostate.edu/community-arts-academy/summer-music-institute/jazz-camp
• http://www.jazzacademy.org/jam-camp/
• https://www.livingjazz.org/history/
• http://nationaljazzworkshop.org

Camp Citations:

https://workshops.jazzbooks.com/news/aebersold-a-jazz-icons-journey/

http://allthingskenton.com/table_of_contents/articles/jazz-education/

Images:

https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc9583/m1/1/med_res/