Jazz Summer Camp prepares to inspire the musicians of tomorrow

(Publicity shot uncredited)

(Press release): Five of Scotland’s top jazz instrumentalists and tutors are hosting a five-day jazz summer camp to share their skills and experience from 7th to 11th August.

Located at Wiston Lodge, an attractive Victorian hunting lodge near Biggar in South Lanarkshire, the course is led by internationally respected trumpeter Ryan Quigley and drummer Andrew Bain with a team including two former Young Scottish Jazz Musicians of the Year who have gone to international success as recording artists.

“It’s a highly qualified and talented group of tutors who have a wealth of professional experience and can give students the tools they need to become confident and expressive musicians,“ says Quigley whose touring and recording credits include work with Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Michael Buble, Ron Carter, George Michael, and Burt Bacharach.

(© Benjamin Ealovega)

Quigley believes that jazz music is a powerful tool for personal and artistic growth and he and his team will be striving to give all students the passion and self-belief that will allow them to improvise, collaborate, and perform with ease.

The course curriculum is designed to cover all aspects of jazz music, from the fundamentals of jazz theory to advanced techniques in big band and ensemble playing.

“Above all, we want students to enjoy playing jazz and to feel a sense of achievement in their own playing and in playing with other musicians,” says Quigley.

In addition to Quigley and Bain, who has recently been appointed Head of Jazz at The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, students can learn from saxophonist Helena Kay, who has lived and worked in London and recently released her second album, Golden Sands to considerable critical acclaim. The piano tutor, Tom Gibbs has playing and recording experience with musicians from both sides of the Atlantic and double bassist Andrew Robb is, like Kay, a former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year and is now a senior lecturer at Leeds College of Music.

“Wiston Lodge itself is an inspiring environment,” says Quigley. “The accommodation is ideal and the food is all about balance and nutrition. Everything is set up so that students get the most out of the experience.”

The five-day course costs £650 and includes all meals and accommodation onsite. A deposit of £150 is required by Friday 30th June, with the full balance due by 17th July. Bookings made after the 30th June must be accompanied by the full fee for the course. Deposits are non-refundable.

Further details are available from info@summerjazzcamp.org