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Jam Camp West — a hip music camp for youth ages 10-14 — will be held this summer from July 26 through July 31 at Redwood Glen Camp in the beautiful redwoods of Loma Mar in Northern California's Santa Cruz Mountains.

Jam Camp West is a profoundly fun and creative six-day music and dance program for middle-school youth. Jam Camp is designed to give youth the chance to explore the contemporary music they already love, within the greater context of the jazz lexicon.

"Our goal is to preserve the cultural and historical roots of jazz for generations of new listeners from all walks of life," reports Jam Camp Director Stacey Hoffman, "while promoting deeper understanding of the ongoing evolution of the form."

This year's faculty line-up includes vocalists Madeline Eastman and Rhonda Benin, guitarist Danny Caron, steel drummer Mark Rosenthal, hip-hop artist Rashidi Omari, and many others. Jam Camp's curriculum will feature instrumental ensembles taught by ear, vocals, dance, percussion, steel drum, beat box, turntables and more. Musical styles include jazz, blues, funk, R&B, and hip-hop. Faculty are hired, says Hoffman, for "their interest in and experience working with young people, their love of the art form, and their skill in promoting a sense of community that is supportive and inclusive."

Unlike most jazz programs for youth, Jam Camp West provides an alternative to traditional band camps. As jazz was original passed down from one generation to another, where "education" meant finding mentors and peers that one could learn through listening and playing side by side, Jam Camp's approach to education is to teach by ear; to provide inspiring mentors among professional faculty that have an insight and interest in the "Jam Camp" approach, as well as counselors and teenage CITs that are young emerging artists wanting to gain exposure to teaching and serving as inspirational role models.

The program, which also promotes awareness and inspiration from the natural world, is designed for beginners as well as experienced instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers.

Recreational activities such as swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, volleyball, and ping-pong will be offered daily. And each evening there will be performance showcases and campfire programs. Most important, says Hoffman, the camp will provide both a stimulating and fun experience. "We want to expose campers to an experience that is more about the inspiration and the process, not the outcome," notes Hoffman.

Jam Camp West is produced by Rhythmic Concepts, Inc., an Oakland-based non-profit since 1984, which is also responsible for the yearly production of Jazz Camp West, now in its 26th season and known as one of the country's leading jazz education and performance programs. Over the past 26 years, RCI has consistently provided creative immersion experiences for people of all ages, abilities, and ethnic and economic backgrounds.

For further information, please call or write Jam Camp West 2009, 2501 Harrison St, Oakland, CA 94612. You can also call them at 510.287.8880 or visit the Jam Camp website.