Download - Downbeat

Fernando Jones teaching the blues
COURTESY FERNANDO JONES
New Chicago Camp To Teach
Students True Summertime Blues
Growing up in the tough South Side of
Chicago, Fernando Jones found music to be
his escape from gangs and violence. A guitar
player since the age of 4, Jones is now an
adjunct faculty member in the music department
at Columbia College Chicago and also
heads up the new Contemporary Urban and
Pop Music (CUP) degree. This summer he
will launch Blues Camp, a free, exclusively
blues camp on Columbia’s campus with the
intent of giving students a place to learn,
play and grow as musicians.
“We are lucky to have the support of a
major college like Columbia,” Jones said. “I
am looking forward to reaching kids who
would never have [otherwise] been able to
participate in an opportunity like this.”
The camp runs from July 4–9 and has
received sponsorship from The Blues
Foundation, Guitar Center, The Chicago
Federation of Musicians, The Mary Barnes
Donnelley Family Foundation and Willie
Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation. Students
in middle school and high school will be able
to participate in the camp free of charge.
Dunlop USA has also donated guitar picks
and strings to the camp as a part of a gift
package that each student will receive.
Beginning in March, students from the
Chicago area can audition at various locations
that are listed on the camp’s Web site
(blueskids.com). International students and
students from across the country can also
audition by submitting a DVD of their performance.
Also listed on the Web site are the
multiple songs that students can choose for
their auditions depending on what instrument
they play.
“The camp covers all the basic blues
instruments: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard
and vocals,” Jones said. “We are also
adding a section for horn players and string
players.”
Many professional blues musicians will
instruct during the camp including Tim
Austin, Buddy Guy’s drummer, and Felton
Crews, who once recorded with Miles Davis.
Columbia students and faculty will teach
throughout the week-long camp as well.
During the camp, students will participate
in drills, small ensembles and jam sessions.
The camp will conclude with a culminating
concert on the last day.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for students
around the world to learn about authentic
Chicago blues,” said Richard Dunscomb,
Columbia College’s music department chair.
“We are proud that Columbia College will
host this camp, and we are looking forward
to having these 50 or 60 students on our
campus.”
Not only does the camp give students a
chance to learn the blues in its hometown,
but it also brings students with a common
interest together.
“What is cool is I can identify with every
age group of kids participating,” Jones said.
“I know what it’s like to be the only guitar
player on your block. This camp gives kids
who have the same interests and desire that I
had an opportunity to play.”
Jones also has an answer for anyone who
may think that the sunny ideals of a summer
camp may seem like an odd pairing with a
music that’s often portrayed as downhearted.
“Kids are not prejudiced like adults are,”
Jones said. “There will not be nothing dark or
edgy about my camp. If anything, the camp
and music will be patriotic, upbeat and fun.”
—Katie Kailus
48 DOWNBEAT March 2010