It would only be logical that since New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz, that it also in many a ways a birthright for those who grow up here. That’s not to say that everyone who lives here is a Jazz musician, but a great majority of kids do learn to play music. It starts with the marching band programs in almost every school. It starts with experienced musicians passing down the knowledge to the kid who is fascinated enough by an instrument to pick it up. It is not an uncommon sight to see a kid walk down the street blowing his horn, practicing, or whip out a pair of drumsticks from his back pocket and tap a tune on any surface at hand.
Music is not only self expression, but a a respected career path for New Orleanians. NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts), is a “Fame” like school for talented kids. And when school is out, there are Jazz camps for the kids to pass a fun and productive summer in.
One such camp has been taking place at Loyola University. Space has been turned over to the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp.
Visitors flock to New Orleans for the Jazz. It captivates one and all, and it feels so good to be a part of something that has been going for over a hundred years, something wonderful from New Orleans that has spread around the world. It makes you feel like you want to be a part of it. How many of us have fantasies of picking up an instrument, or bursting into song?
You can be a part of the Jazz legacy by helping keep educational opportunities viable for the young people in New Orleans.
A benefit concert and jam session for the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp, featuring performances by Kidd Jordan, Germaine Bazzle, and the camp faculty, will be Wednesday, July 20, at 7 p.m. at Vaso, 1407 Decatur Street (in the Frenchman Street music area). Tickets are $25. It is an adult venue.
To learn more about the camp, purchase tickets for the concert or make a donation, visit the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp. To donate, you can also mail a check to the New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee, 124 Roselyn Park Place, New Orleans, LA 70131.
A free Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp Entergy Culminating Concert by camp students and the Treme Brass Band and Daryl “Dancing Man” Young (artists-in-residence), will be Friday at 8 p.m. at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center.
Until next time I remain the Visual Vamp working on my moves for the second line.
