2025 Adult Jazz Camp

COLAJAZZ ADULT JAZZ CAMP

Our ColaJazz Adult Jazz Camp intensive is an extended weekend of exciting opportunities for jazzers 18+ years old:

– jazz combos sorted by ability
– learn jazz theory and improvisation
– experience cool workshops
– personalized instruction
– faculty & camp concerts
– free t-shirt
– grand finale concert by YOU!

With small combos, theory, improv, incredible masterclasses and performances, our premier summer jazz camp is a blast for all-levels and instruments. If you want to deep dive John Coltrane, we got you; if you’re learning the basic blues form, we got you!

Tuition includes lunch, all daytime activities, masterclasses, and an open-to-the-public grand finale concert for your family & friends to celebrate what you've accomplished.

LOCATION
Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
5637 Bush River Rd
Columbia, SC 29212

*Wonderful facilities to practice, learn, hang and play JAZZ.
*Convenient and FREE parking, easily accessible.


GENERAL SCHEDULE
Thursday – Sunday, July 24 – 27

THURSDAY, JULY 24

2:00pm Check-in
2:30pm Camp welcome announcements & information
2:45pm Combo session 1: let’s play!
4:00pm Jazz theory
5:00pm Combo session 2: gettin’ it together
6:00pm Done for the day

FRIDAY, JULY 25

10:00am Check-in, announcements
10:30am Jazz theory
11:45am Jazz Improv: apply it in your combo
12:30pm Lunch
1:15pm Combo session 3: diggin’ in
2:30pm All-Camp Masterclass (interactive)
3:45pm Sectionals
4:30pm Done for the day

*6:30pm – 9:30p All-camp hang (The Joint at 1710 Main Street)

SATURDAY, JULY 26

10:00am Check-in, announcements
10:15am Jazz theory
11:30am Combo session 4: now you’re talkin’
12:30pm Lunch
1:15pm All-Camp Masterclass (interactive)
2:30pm Combo session 5: in the pocket
4:00pm Done for the day

*6:30pm – 9:30p All-camp hang (The Joint at 1710 Main Street)

SUNDAY, JULY 27
Grand Finale Public Performance
Koger Center for the Arts
1051 Greene St
Columbia, SC 29201

2:00pm Combos Soundcheck
4:00pm Doors open
4:30p – 5:30p Grande Finale Concert

FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS
Why this adult summer jazz camp?
The ColaJazz 18+ Summer Jazz Camp is for jazzers 18+ years who want an exceptional, weekend summer jazz intensive!
Play in combos, discover how to improvise, develop as a musician, explore jazz theory and its rich history in America, grow your creativity and social skills.

The ColaJazz 18+ Summer Jazz Camp teachers are the most accomplished and highly regarded Jazz educators and performers around. As an example, Dr. Mitch Butler, Director of Jazz Education for the ColaJazz Foundation, received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Performance from East Carolina University. Dr. Butler is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Doctor of Music Arts degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz Studies.

The ColaJazz Foundation is a 2021 Governor Award-winner nonprofit Jazz organization with an established and exciting history of producing world-class jazz events and outreach throughout South Carolina. Based on formal evaluations of the most renowned and prestigious Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camps and decades of professional experience in jazz education and performances throughout the world, Executive Director Mark Rapp, created and launched the very first annual summer jazz camp in Columbia, SC in 2017. ColaJazz has years of refining our summer jazz camps to be the most engaging and fun summer jazz camp in the Midlands.

The ColaJazz 18+ Summer Jazz Camp will leave you invigorated, feeling accomplished and walking away excited about your next steps in music along with some new friends.

What will I get out of it?
You will have the opportunity to play in small group jazz ensembles, learn about jazz theory, to creatively improvise, explore special electives, publicly perform, learn about jazz history and its role in America, experience the sounds of world-class jazz presented by our faculty and guest clinician(s), make new friends, grow as a musician, grow as a person, and so much more!

How do I know if I’m good enough?
The ColaJazz 18+ Summer Jazz Camps are open to all singers and instrumentalists. Our goal is to help you get to the “next level,” whatever that might be. Campers of all ability levels have learned a lot and have had a great time! Combos are arranged by ability level, and teaching methods vary — some instructors hand out charts, others teach by ear.

Where and when does it take place?
The 2024 18+ Summer Jazz Camp takes place Thursday through Sunday, July 24 – July 27 at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC.

Arrival and departure times?
Please see the schedule above.

Do we allow refunds?
Yes. Payment in full is required at the time of registration. Up to 14-days prior to July 24, payment is fully refundable, after-which, payments are non-refundable.

ColaJazz 18+ Summer Jazz Camp reserves the right to refuse a registration due to limited availability. The right is also reserved to decline, to accept, cancel or withdraw any camp participant prior to or during the camp.

Are there scholarships or discounts available?
Yes. We have limited financial assistance available thanks to our donors and sponsors. Please contact us to inquire about scholarship or discount availability.

What should I prepare before I get to camp?
Short answer… nothing. This is the point of a summer jazz camp: to meet you where you are and leave you in a better place after. We got you!

Longer answer… We will contact you in advance of the camp with any preparatory information. Typically, we will ask you submit a simple video recording of you playing. Nothing scary; easy-peezy.

What should I bring with me?
Your instrument, along with everything you need to play it! This means, amps, cables, power cords, mouthpieces, reeds, valve oil, etc. There are some pianos, amps and drum kits on location, but if you prefer your own keyboard and amp or your own drum kit, by all means, bring it. We will contact you in advance if there is anything special you may need to bring.

Here’s a list of items you may find handy to have at camp:
– snacks and drinks (lunch is provided)
– a recording device
– pencils
– manuscript paper
– charging sources for your phone, computer, iPad, etc.
– comfortable shoes
– any personal medicine that you require

What instruments are appropriate for jazz?
We’re looking for saxophonists/flutists, trumpeters, trombonists, pianists, guitarists, bassists, drummers, and singers. Violinists and harmonica players have also had a great time. Bagpipe players might want to think twice.

What kind of jazz will I be learning and playing?
Straight-ahead jazz and blues from the “Great American Songbook” contains the widest range of and the most popular jazz sounds in recorded history. From Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and others, we will draw upon the best in Jazz! We also accommodate traditional, fusion, funk, and avant-garde jazz styles, and in some cases, we use pop tunes as a launch pad for improvisation.

How can I get more information?
Contact us.



TERMS & CONDITIONS
These terms and conditions apply to the 2025 ColaJazz Adult Jazz Camp.

Bookings
All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions set out below. Registration and payment indicates acceptance of all the following: All applicants accept the following on their own behalf, as well as, on behalf of the camper attending. You consent to release ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, ColaJazz Foundation and all ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp staff from any claim or liability arising directly or indirectly from the Jazz Camp activities.

Indemnity
You indemnify ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, and ColaJazz against responsibility for any accident, loss or injury suffered by you or your child/children during the course of the ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp activities.

Medical and hospital treatment
If a representative of ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, or ColaJazz should at any time consider that you or your child/children require/s medical or hospital treatment, you consent to them obtaining this at your expense.

Fees (all prices are in US Dollars)
Payment is in advance in full unless otherwise stated, in writing, online or on ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp promotional material. Payment will be accepted by credit card securely online here on Humanitix.

Refunds and due dates
Payment in full is required at the time of registration. Up to 14-days prior to July 24, payment is fully refundable, after-which, payments are non-refundable. ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp reserves the right to refuse a registration due to limited availability. The right is also reserved to decline, to accept, cancel or withdraw any camp participant prior to or during the camp.

Medical conditions, allergies and special dietary requirements
If you have special dietary requirements or a pre-existing illness or medical condition, you must provide full details via email: contact@colajazz.com.

Damage to property
You consent to pay for any damage, whether deliberate or accidental, caused by you/ your child to property owned by ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, and ColaJazz or used by ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp and supplied by alternate parties (e.g. equipment, accommodation, vehicles) or property owned by other program participants. All replacement and or repair costs are the responsibility of the individual/s responsible for the damage.

Individual responsibility for personal property
ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, and ColaJazz are not responsible for individuals’ personal musical instruments or property. Insurance is suggested for valuable instruments.

Students are to remain on site for the duration of the camp
Students are not to leave the ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp venue at any time during the camp without the knowledge and written consent of the Camp administrators. A student will be given permission to leave the venue only in exceptional circumstances. As a general rule every student must be on site for the duration of the camp. No other staff member is authorized to allow a student off site.

Student misbehavior, including bullying
The following will, at the discretion of the camp administrators, lead to a student being sent home at their parent’s expense:

– Bullying, threatening or intimidating another student or member of staff
– Possession of illegal drugs or alcohol
– Refusing to cooperate with the instructions of a member of staff
– Deliberately disrupting any Jazz Camp activity or lesson
– Other dangerous, disruptive or illegal behavior
– This is a smoke free venue.

Waiver and Release of Liability
Further, in consideration for my participation in the ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, I do hereby for myself, my family, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns, agree to, and hereby do, release, waive, discharge, hold harmless and indemnify, and forever defend the State of South Carolina, the ColaJazz Foundation, the members of its Board, individually and collectively, its officers, employees, servants, agents, representatives directors, students, volunteers, and anyone acting on behalf of the ColaJazz Foundation, from any and all liability, losses, claims, actions, suits, procedures, demands, rights, and causes of action of whatever nature, in law and equity, for any and all known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, bodily or personal injuries, death and permanent injury, illnesses, damage to property, or other losses, and any consequences thereof, including expenses, costs, and attorney’s fees, as may be sustained by my Child or me, or any person or entity acting on my or my Child’s behalf, arising out of, or in any way associated with, my participation in the ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp. I warrant I am the Participant in the ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, and I warrant that I am 18 years of age or older. I have carefully reviewed and I agree to the terms of this entire document.

Photo Release
Give ColaJazz Foundation, its agents, employees, servants, assigns, and successors, without expectation of value, permission to:
Record my likeness and appearance on video tape, audio tape, film, photograph or any other medium; and use my name, likeness, voice, and biographical material in connection with these recordings; and Exhibit, copy or distribute such recording in whole or in part without restrictions or limitation for any educational or promotional purpose or advertisement campaigns which the ColaJazz Foundation, and those acting pursuant to its authority, deem appropriate.

Privacy
Information supplied to ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, and ColaJazz will remain confidential and will not be made available to any third party. Photographs of camp activities may be taken by an authorized photographer and may be used in future promotional material or publications solely by ColaJazz Summer Jazz Camp, and ColaJazz.

Regarding COVID-19
We prefer everyone attending and working the camp to be fully vaccinated. If you are not, for your safety and for the consideration of those around you, please wear a mask, keep your distance, and follow the CDC recommended guidelines. For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov