NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – It’s practice time at the 22nd Annual Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp. Kids from New Orleans and around the globe spend three intense weeks honing their jazz chops.
According to camp director Jackie Harris, this year’s attendees are special, “This group is exceptional. I think every student here is really serious about learning the music of America. Sometimes we’ve had more kids and many times children come because their parents think it’s a good thing for them to do but these young people are really turned on about the music and they are doing exceptionally well.”
As is the case every year, the camp is staffed by some of the world’s best musicians and educators. This year’s artist-in-residence is legendary jazz drummer Albert “Tootie Heath.
Heath spoke to the campers about more than just music, “My words to practice and to be as good as you can possibly be on your instrument, or whatever you plan on doing. If it’s a mathematician, if it’s a doctor, whatever the genre is best as best as you possibly can. Study it, get the history of whatever it is you’re trying to do, continue to make yourselves as good as you can.”
The Armstrong Camp’s benefit concert featuring staff, along with 96-year-old swing dance legend Norma Miller and Heath is Wednesday night at the Little Gem Saloon. Click here for tickets.
Friday night’s free culminating concert, featuring the students is at Loyola’s Roussell Hall.
One student that really got Heath’s attention this year is 13-year-old Daniel “Dano” Peterson from South Africa, who came to the states just for the camp. Heath says, “This young man has wonderful taste in what he’s playing, and sensitivity, and that’s what I like about him.”
