Summer Jazz Camp Scotland returns to inspire a new generation

Now in its second year, Summer Jazz Camp Scotland aims to take jazz players aged 12 to 22 to the next level in their musical journey under the guidance of a team led by internationally respected trumpeter Ryan Quigley and hugely experienced drummer Andrew Bain, now head of jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Located at Wiston Lodge, a Victorian hunting lodge near the attractive Clydesdale town of Biggar, the summer camp is designed to cover all aspects of jazz music, from the fundamentals of jazz theory to advanced techniques in big band and ensemble playing.

Joining Quigley and Bain are three internationally acclaimed performers, recording artists and teachers, saxophonist Helena Kay, pianist Tom Gibbs and double bassist Brodie Laird-Jarvie.

An established player with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Helena Kay also leads an outstanding quartet and works with pianist Zoe Rahman, violinist Seonaid Aitken and trumpeters Yazz Ahmed and Sean Gibbs. Tom Gibbs teaches on the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland jazz course and has recorded with New Yorkers, drummer Ari Hoenig and guitarist Gilad Hekselman and Andrew Robb is a graduate from Amsterdam Conservatoire who has worked with saxophonists Tommy Smith and Brian Molley and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

“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, and Burt Bacharach as well as many of Europe’s leading orchestras.

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.

“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.

The summer camp venue, Wiston Lodge is an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow but, says Quigley, it is miles away from the distractions of city life.

“We know from last year that it’s an inspiring environment,” he says. “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 and the full balance is due by 30th June. Bookings made after the 30th June must be accompanied by the full fee for the course. Deposits are non-refundable.

For further details get in touch via info@summerjazzcamp.org