This just in from our friends, event administrator Andrew Lawrence and staff clinician, Berklee Professor John McGann, camp details on the New England Django in June festival; Tuesday, June 10th through Sunday the 15th, on the campus of Smith College in beautiful Northampton, MA.:

Django in June weekend clinics
The Weekend Drop-In option is for musicians (including guitar, violin, mandolin, accordion and bass players) who would like to get in on the action at Django in June, but who either can't or would rather not commit to Django Camp in its entirety. While our activities leading up to the weekend will be reserved for Django Camp participants only, from late Friday afternoon on you are more than welcome to join us for a couple hours or a couple days, however you wish: to jam, take clinics, visit vendors, stay in the dorm, hang with us over meals and take in a show or two. Throughout the winter and spring of '08 we'll be building our roster of artists who will be on our staff. Check out who we've got on board on this page devoted to Artists and Staff.

Time Is Of The Essence: It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't In The Groove! (All instruments, all levels)
Think about it: A simple idea, played with good tone and good time, will communicate and resonate much better than a complex idea played with wobbly time. Not many of us are born with great time--but we can develop a better sense of groove, to lay melody, accompaniment and solos "in the pocket" with clarity and focus. We'll use a metronome and explore practice techniques that are fun and challenging.

Speaking the Jazz Language: Applying Theory Concepts to Soloing (All instruments, intermediate-advanced)
With a modest amount of music theory (the basics of chord structure) combined with our all-important ears, we can build stronger and more interesting solos. We will do hands-on playing (and singing) of colorful scales, modes, arpeggios and chromatics as applied to common tunes in jazz, and develop creative melodic and rhythmic strategies for improvisation. No note reading needed!

More info at djangoinjune.com

Don't miss out!

Posted by Ted at April 19, 2008 5:40 AM