Jazz at Naz Update–27 Days Out

Once again, we can’t believe our good fortune. At every camp, miraculously, the instrumentation for a really solid Tritone big-band seems to materialize out of nowhere.

This year is no exception. The once-puny trumpet section has filled out beautifully and other sections are perfectly balanced. We could use one or two more trombones, but even without, we’re ready for another very cool big-band experience.

Small combos look great, too–plenty of rhythm players at each experience level, and a nice variety of front-line instruments, including a violin and an (gasp!) accordion. We even have two vibes players this year.

And the most exciting recent news is that three full-time vocalists have signed up, and three of our instrumentalists are also interested in doing vocal jazz part-time. Janet Planet will be circling in orbit as usual.

There’s still time to sign up if you’re interested, but there’s no time to waste. Jazz at Naz starts three weeks from Sunday!

Are all vocalists Cheeseheads?

There’s something we can’t quite figure out.  For the second year in a row, we’ve exceeded our quota of vocalist campers in Wisconsin, but as of today, not a single vocalist has enrolled in Rochester.

Is the midwestern air kinder to singers’ throats?  Does the idea of singing in a college music building bring back painful memories of undergrad auditions?  Do vocalists have some kind of geo-tonal attraction to Lake Michigan (and what’s wrong with Lake Ontario)?

It just doesn’t make any sense.  Our fabulous vocal teacher, Janet Planet, is in residence in both places, and it’s not that she offers any special Cheesehead magic in WI just because it’s her home state.  She works her tail off in both places, spending virtually every day and many evenings helping singers prepare for the final camp concerts and giving them about a year’s worth of material to think about.

So we’re perplexed, but the good news is that any vocalist who signs up for Jazz at Naz is pretty much guaranteed very personal attention this summer.  At least as of today.

IAJE Cancels Summit. No Park City Camp This Summer.

Regrettably, Tritone Jazz at the Summit, the camp that was scheduled as a centerpiece of the International Association of Jazz Education’s Park City Summit, has been canceled. The IAJE has canceled the entire event.

This is supremely disappointing to us, to the campers who had enrolled, and to the first-class faculty we had assembled, who were really looking forward to working together. Unfortunately, the decision was beyond our control.

Our other two camps are thriving, however, so stay tuned. We’ll keep you informed of our expansion plans.

Tritone Bob

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by.

Whether you’re a veteran camper or you’re just stopping in to kick the tires, we’re glad you’re here.

Our full story is at www.tritonejazz.com. Here at Tritone Time, we’ll post the latest–breaking news about our camps, the need for particular instruments (bass players, drummers and trombonists for sure!), any changes in faculty, and info of general interest.

But more important, we hope to hear from you. If you’re a veteran camper with advice for those who are contemplating a first Tritone experience, please share it. If you’re thinking about a Tritone camp and have questions about what to expect, please ask.Here’s what’s going on this summer:

• Tritone Jazz at Naz, July 27-August 1, Nazareth College, Rochester, NY
• Tritone Cool at the Lake, August 10-15, Bjorklunden, Baileys Harbor, WI

We hope to hear from you soon.