How many here have attended the Aerbesold summer camp?
If attended, how was it?
If not, heard any story?
Anyone here going this year?

Other thoughts?
I need a vacation this summer, I'm between this and golf so far :-)

My son has attended for one week each of the last three years, as a 15-17 year old. He's a pretty accomplished jazz pianist for his age - making $50-$75/hour for solo gigs - but he's learned a lot each year and said that his most recent session was his favorite. The wide range of ages and abilities ensures that everyone is placed into a group where they fit pretty well.

If you do a Youtube search for Aebersold Camp or Aebersold Workshop you'll see dozens of performances from the Friday concerts that mark the end of each session.

getting good feedback from everyone so far.
I wonder how many pianos / pianists they have there.
Did your son ever have to fight for a piano ?

I know a guitarist who goes there every year. The place is not exactly the most scenic location, it's a bit of a hole according to him. You have an audition where they listen to you improvising with a rhythm section until they feel they have gotten a good idea of your playing and then based on that they put you into a group of a similar level. He attends both camps. Sometimes one week he'll play well and get put into a good group, and the next week he'll play not so good and get put into a lower level group, it all depends on how you audition.

The best thing is the faculty, and hearing the concerts. You also get to hear them play for you even while you're having lunch.

No. Even though they do typically fill-up their available piano slots a couple months before the camp (it's first come, first served), there are still some combos that don't have a pianist. Also note that it's not a camp where much (if any) individual practice time is allotted, so there's not a situation in which 20 pianists are fighting over 10 practice rooms. Most playing is done in combo rehearsals or master-class-style group lessons. Their website shows a typical daily schedule, and you'll see that it's pretty much group classes/activities all day long.

That makes perfect sense.

Do you know about the evening jams? Do they setup multiple sessions. I guess it doesn't matter that much. Wondering if it's organized there too, or not.

I just asked him. He said that each night after the faculty concert (2+ hours) the stage and several side rooms are opened for informal jam sessions where anyone can come and go as they please until 11:30. In addition your combo instructor might open a room for your group. Son said that last year he just jammed with his combo every night because they all enjoyed each other's playing.

Here they are on Friday, when the combos perform in two auditoriums all afternoon for about 7-8 minutes each. This is the smaller auditorium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSlY65lgCmg

It's an urban university campus that isn't scenic at all. However the music building itself is a pretty decent facility. Just to clarify.

That group sounded really good together.
Yeah, makes me wanna go.

Knotty,
I have been to the Aebersold summer camp as a pianist 8 times.
Obviously I thought it was worthwhile, and although I haven't been the past couple of years, I do intend to return.
I live in the Rocky Mountain area, so getting there is half the fun (LOL) so I usually stay for both weeks.
The first time can be pretty daunting, because there is so much going on it can be exhausting.
The faculty is great, you hear some great music and meet a lot of people, and learn enough to keep you busy all year.
I fit into the "older" category - I'm 66 - but no matter one's age, there is a good mix of folks - probably about half are school age (high school or college) and about half are adults, with a pretty good representation of the 40 and up group.
They range from beginning improvisers all the way up to pro-level players. Some of the high-school age kids will blow you away, as will the faculty concerts.
I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in this type of music.
Of course I could write pages but would be happy to respond to any questions.

Bill