Summer Jazz Workshops

Man playing guitar The Vermont Jazz Center's Summer Workshop, founded in 1975 by Attila Zoller and directed by Eugene Uman since 1997, is held at The Putney School in a picturesque Green Mountain setting 20 minutes north of Brattleboro.

The VJC is a great workshop for jazz players of all ages. It has obviously built upon years of experience in presenting a well-balanced week of classroom and performance opportunities..I spent an awesome week surrounded by great faculty, eating amazing food, and enjoying the company of a wonderful group of diverse and fun-loving people unite by their serious but joyful pursuit of making great jazz music. Jazz Camp has always been and continues to be the highlight of my entire year.

Erik Bronstein, Workshop Participant, 2010

38th Annual Summer Jazz Workshops - 2013
August 4th -10th

Our Putney campus offers comfortable accommodations and delicious food. Facilities include ample classrooms, grand pianos and an inviting performance space. Recreational options include hiking, cycling, swimming and tennis.

Each year, the VJC hosts about 40 instrumental and 20 vocal participants from around the world for a challenging, invigorating weeklong summer workshop. The program is set up so that participants can focus intensively on the music: learning opportunities include classes in theory, composition and arranging, vocal studies, ensembles, listening, master-classes and jam sessions.

The VJC summer workshop provides participants the opportunity to study in small groups with world-class faculty. Students and faculty live, study, and eat on the same campus, so there is plenty of time for interaction and personal attention. A warmth pervades the experience for all, and there is a strong feeling of community.

The atmosphere is exciting and the quality of instruction is unparalleled. Former faculty members include Sheila Jordan, Jimmie Heath, John Abercrombie, Lee Konitz, Jimmie Cobb and many other jazz masters.

Faculty

Excellent student to faculty ratio (usually 1:5) supports a great deal of interaction. Faculty live on campus and are accessible throughout the week, not just at class times.

Faculty are both superb musicians and teachers. All faculty are recording and touring artists who bring a wealth of knowledge gleaned from real-world experience. Faculty are chosen not only due to their musical expertise but also due to their interpersonal skills and dedication to the "scene" we provide.

They enjoy their time at the summer workshop and this manifests itself in a positive experience by the participants.

See Faculty biographies, samples of music and videos.

Music

The Vermont Jazz Center summer workshop is set up so that each individual gets lots of playing time. Coached ensembles and faculty-attended jam sessions that extend into the wee hours give participants the opportunity to play their instruments as much as they want.

Location

The summer workshop takes place at the Putney School. A beautifully situated private school located on top of a hill surrounded by gardens and forests. Vistas of Vermont's pristine scenery can be enjoyed from every angle and are made accessible by miles of unpaved roads for walks and biking.

Time-tested curriculum

VJC has been running workshops for over thirty-five years. We have had the opportunity to implement a curriculum and tweak it regularly so that it meets the needs of the motivated student.

Friendly supportive atmosphere

The faculty and staff are in tune with participant's needs; our aim is to encourage and support their artistic development. The teaching style is based on positive reinforcement rather than pointing out a student's deficiencies.

Great Food

The Putney School's ample gardens provide most of the vegetables eaten during the week. A varied menu with lots of choices, both meat-based and vegetarian is prepared by Marty Brennan-Sawyer, a chef who loves the Vermont Jazz Center and whose cooking proves it!