Big band leader, vocalist, and trumpet great, Joe Gransden is moving his week-long summer jazz camp for kids to City Springs Performing Arts Center in Sandy Springs. “As soon as we toured the facility, I knew this would be the perfect home for Joe’s Jazz Camp. The theater, rehearsal space and amenities are absolutely beautiful, world-class,” says Gransden, whose popular camp is in its fourth year, moving from Cambridge High School in Milton. “And now, with MARTA nearby, the camp will be more accessible to all kids in Atlanta. We will have staff-chaperoned MARTA shuttle service from the Sandy Springs station. We’ll get your kids to camp!”
“City Springs is envisioned as a place to enjoy the arts and learn, and we are delighted to welcome Joe’s Jazz Camp as part of the creative learning taking place here,” says Sandy Springs mayor, Rusty Paul. “Joe was among the first artists to perform at City Springs, and his dedication not only to his craft but to enhance the love of music among the next generation connects with the heart of our intent with the performing arts center.”
Joe’s Jazz Camp is a six-day immersive experience for young musicians, ages 13 – 19. The camp takes place May 31 – June 5, and all skill levels are welcome. Camp highlights include daily combo and big band rehearsals, jazz history classes, numerous student performances, and faculty jam sessions. Throughout the week, students will receive instruction in improvisation, theory, song writing, and big band arranging from some of the top jazz educators in the nation. A healthy lunch will be provided each day by local restaurants.
This year, Joe’s Jazz Camp is proud to present “The Great American Song Book and Beyond,” a program developed by West Coast jazz legend Matt Falker. Matt hails from Oceanside, California, where he has developed one of the finest jazz vocal programs in the country.
Falker joins the camp staff of professional musicians and educators who believe practicing and performing jazz can build a student's confidence, encourage creativity, and inspire excellence. Artistic Director Lee Watts also recognizes the valuable partnership with City Springs. When he and Joe toured the space, they immediately realized the camp’s potential for growth and the possibility of providing other workshop and camp opportunities throughout the year. They are continuing to seek partners to help make this happen.
“We are always looking for new restaurant sponsors to help with lunches, and we applaud Chick fil-A, Roasters, and Café 290 for their continuing support,” says Joe. “We are excited to get to know our new Sandy Springs neighboring businesses in the vibrant downtown area.”
Sandy Springs and Dunwoody area jazz fans know Joe Gransden and his 16-piece Big Band from Cafe 290, where they play the first and third Mondays of each month, and it’s been his tradition to invite local high school jazz bands to open for his show. “We have middle and high school bands play from 8:00 - 8:30 then invite them to stick around and listen to our set,” says Joe. “It’s a great opportunity for the young musicians to experience a professional band in a smaller venue and we’re always impressed by the level of talent these students bring.”
Joe’s Jazz Camp is supported, in part, by generous contributions from benefactors who sponsor scholarships, donate equipment and volunteer time to help make the students’ experience smooth and meaningful. If you’d like to sponsor a scholarship, provide lunch, or register a student for camp, please visit JoesJazzCamp.com.
