Litchfield Jazz Camp’s 15th year begins at Kent School on July 10

KENT — The first Litchfield Jazz Festival was 16 years ago and included performers such as Ahmad Jamal, Diana Krall, Christian McBride, J.J. Johnson and Larry Goldings.Bringing first-class jazz to Litchfield County was not enough for Vita West Muir, founder and executive and artistic director of the festival, which is now held in Kent. “From the beginning I viewed the festival not only as entertainment, but also as education,” Muir said. “That’s when I knew we had to have a camp for aspiring musicians.” That vision led to the birth of the Litchfield Jazz Camp 15 years ago.From July 10 through Aug.5, the jazz camp returns to the campus of the Kent School. Jazz camp director, composer and educator Don Braden is a world-class jazz musician who plays tenor and soprano saxophones, flute, alto flute and piano among other instruments.In keeping with her belief in education and nurturing up-and-coming performers, Muir said the jazz camp’s professional faculty is backed by a group of young musicians who are former jazz campers returning to share their passion with a new generation of students.The jazz camp offers four weekly sessions. Day and residential students are accepted, from age 13 to adult. Tuition runs from $950 for one week as a day camper up to $4,590 for the four-week residential program. Scholarships are available. Muir said she expects more than 320 campers this year.Lindsey Turner, marketing director for the festival and camp, said the campers perform in concerts open to the public at the end of each week’s session. Campers are also invited to perform on the second stage at the Litchfield Jazz Festival, Aug. 5 to 7.The jazz camp will offer a free Jazz College Fair on July 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. Representatives from Berklee College of Music, Chicago College of Performing Arts, Eastman, Hartt, Manhattan, New England Conservatory, the New School, the State University of New York at Purchase and other schools will be on the campus to talk about arts opportunities at their institutions. For more information call 860-361-6285 or go online to www.litchfieldjazzcamp.com.