Found at: http://www.melbrownjazzcamp.com/media_video/index.php

(Make sure to click on “Interview with Mel Brown” above to see a second Art Beat video focusing just on Mel Brown and his career)

The Mel Brown Summer Jazz Workshop takes place this year from August 2-8 at Western Oregon University.  The faculty is made of up some of Portland’s most in-demand jazz musicians including:

• Mel Brown, drums -- artistic director
• Gordon Lee, piano -- camp director
• Tim Gilson, bass
• Derek Sims, trumpet
• Warren Rand, alto saxophone
• Renato Caranto, tenor saxophone
• Robert Crowell, baritone saxophone
• Stan Bock, trombone
• Keller Coker, trombone
• Clay Giberson, piano
• Jof Lee, piano
• Christopher Woitach, guitar
• Michael Pardew, guitar
• Carlton Jackson, drums

Students of all ages (ages have ranged from 12 to 75 in the past) get the chance to spend an intensive week learning about their instrument, the jazz language, teamwork, and music in general.

More information including registration information can be found at the Mel Brown Jazz Workshop website.

Editorial:

Starting when I was in middle school, I attended the workshop for about eight years as either a student or a counselor.  When I started going, I was just beginning to play saxophone and knew barely anything about jazz.

One of my first memories of the camp is being led by one of the counselors to the saxophone auditions, which were being held in Rice Auditorium.  As we walked up to the auditorium, I heard (for the first time) Renato Caranto practicing.  Around that time in Portland, it was difficult and sometimes outright impossible for minors to hear jazz around town due to restrictions put in place by the OLCC.  I had managed to catch a few shows at the central library, the park blocks, and other free community concerts, but none of these had featured Renato.  I was totally blown away.  That year, I was placed in the small ensemble coached by Renato and got to hear him every day -- probably the most valuable thing a young saxophone player could have.

Each year, I kept coming back to the camp, never loosing that feeling of awe.  I can honestly say that I learned more at that workshop than I’ve learned from any other musical experience.  Not only was the time at the workshop always amazing, but it directed many of my life choices since then.  It was at the workshop that I met Robert Crowell, who was the driving force in my decision to attend his alma mater, the Manhattan School of Music.  Also, I met all of the players from the Mel Brown Septet at the workshop -- an ensemble that I’ve since subbed in probably close to 100 times now.  I can’t say for sure, but I’m guessing that going to the camp had a pretty profound effect on my choice to pursue music as a career as well.

I can’t recommend highly enough that anyone interested in learning more about jazz (regardless of age) should attend this workshop.

- John Nastos
Update:  This video was shot at the first year of the Mel Brown Jazz Workshop’s residency at Western Oregon University in 2000.  Check out Esperanza Spalding playing bass in the big bands as a teenager.