Maryland Summer Jazz Returns in July: Jazz Stars Lead Aspiring Musicians in Classrooms and Concerts!

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Summer Jazz Festival returns on July 13 for its ninth season. The inspiring workshops and jams for musicians and public concerts for jazz lovers take place through July 26.

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Drawing adult learners and listeners from both coasts, the top-rated event hosts brilliant jazz artists on stages and in classrooms, where they encourage amateur and semi-pro students to get "out of the basement and onto the bandstand." Some students will begin or resume professional music careers; others will keep music as an avocation.

Headlining this year's festival are jazz artists from Brazil, the United States and Canada,  recognized as both artists and educators. Among them are guitarist Steve Rochinski, trumpeter John D'earth and bassist Leonardo Lucini.

Boston-based guitarist Steve Rochinski is a prolific author and busy composer, arranger and educator. The Washington, D.C. native has toured widely working with the likes of Tal Farlow, Tim Hagans and Joe Lovano. In 1984 he left the road to teach at Berklee College of Music and has since written numerous books for jazz study. His books and recordings (on Germany's Jardis Records) are sold internationally, and students come from all over the world to study with him.

Protean trumpeter John D'earth is widely known as a performer, composer/arranger, and recording artist. He has played with jazz greats Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton and Pat Metheny, pop artists Dave Matthews and Bruce Hornsby, and chamber groups Kronos String Quartet and The Kandinsky Trio. He directs jazz performance at the University of Virginia.

Virtuoso Brazilian born bassist Leonardo Lucini is a prominent musician and teacher in Washington, DC. He has toured internationally with Nestor Torres, Arturo O'Farrill, Alex Acuna, Federico Pena and Gregoire Maret. In Brazil, he performed with leading groups and artists No Em Pingo D'Agua, saxophonist Paulo Moura and the Orquestra de Musica Brasileira. In the States, he performs with the band Origem and is an artist in residence at Montgomery College.

Artistic Director Jeff Antoniuk is an acclaimed saxophonist and composer from Western Canada. He began cross-continental touring even before earning a master's degree in jazz performance and West African ethnomusicology from the University of North Texas. A recipient of grants from the Canada Council and National Endowment for the Arts, he is an influential figure in the Washington, DC jazz scene.

Jazz Camp

The heart of Maryland Summer Jazz is a three-day jazz camp July 24-26. Uniquely created for adults, it helps gifted amateurs and semi-pros get their chops up. Each day includes intensive instruction for students from 16 to retirement age. Instructors represent seven different university jazz programs. Attendees hear them in concert, then play with them in small combos grouped by ability level.

Jazz camp provides a continuing education opportunity for music teachers and gives high school and college students a place to sharpen their skills during summer vacation. Scholarships and internships encourage young talent. Older players get the chance to bring their skill and technique to the level of working musicians. Networking opportunities have led to the creation of many popular jazz bands.

Attendees have an option to take a pre-camp clinic on "The Music of Maryland Summer Jazz" on Saturday, July 13. Participants will get a head start on the camp repertoire of beginner through advanced tunes.

Concert Highlights

The kick-off concert for Maryland Summer Jazz will be held at the new Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper on Tuesday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. Guitar star Steve Rochinski will join Jeff Antoniuk & the acclaimed Jazz Update band. Another major concert occurs on July 26 at the conclusion of jazz camp, held on the campus, at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland. A student concert is held at 7:00 p.m. An All Star Concert begins at 8:30 p.m. Ticket holders may attend one or both concerts on the final evening.

Stellar Guest Artists

Eight jazz stars will teach and perform this season. In addition to those mentioned, they include bassist Amy Shook, pianist Wade Beach, trombonist Jim McFalls and drummer Harold F. Summey, Jr.

Jazz camp registration continues through June 30. Military and family discounts are available. For camp information and concert tickets see www.marylandsummerjazz.com

A festival of workshops, jams & concerts

217 A Bowie Avenue * Annapolis, Maryland 21401 * 410-295-6691
www.marylandsummerjazz.com

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SOURCE Maryland Summer Jazz Festival