Aspiring young musicians who would like to participate in the 29th annual Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp are urged to apply now, said Jackie Harris, executive director of camp and the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Educational Foundation. The jazz camp will take place June 19- July 7, 2023 at Loyola University’s Communications and Music Complex, 6363 St. Charles Avenue.
All students must be at least 10 years old and actively involved in music education for two years at school or through private instruction. Camp tuition is $1000 with some scholarships available. Auditions will take place June 6th and 7th by appointment only. For more information call 504-715-9295.
Classes have traditionally been offered in woodwinds, brass, piano, electric and upright bass, drums, strings, vocals, large and small ensembles, big band, music theory and swing and second line dance. While those workshops are still important, the camp is moving into a new era by including the music of young people in its training. For the first time, classes in Hip Hop are being offered and taught by two of that industry’s most notable professionals – Grammy award-winning producer and songwriter Adam “BlaqnMilD” Pigott and Grammy award-winner record producer, rapper and singer Darius “Deezle” Harrison.
“We are excited that Hip Hop icons BlaqnMilD and ‘Deezle’ will be bringing their unique talents and perspective to the camp this year,” Harris said. New Orleans is well known around the world for its unique beats and bounce music. The Hip Hop classes will explore the history and influence New Orleans artists have had and continue to have on the genre. Students must be enrolled in camp as an instrumentalist or vocalist to qualify for the Hip Hop course. They must also be between 14 and 21 years of age, and be invited to participate. Pigott has joined the jazz camp faculty to teach the classes in Hip Hop. Harrison will serve as the Hip Hop Artist-in-Residence.
Born and raised in New Orleans’ Third Ward, Pigott began his musical journey as a member of the John McDonogh High School marching band. After becoming recognized as a nightclub promoter and locally-lauded DJ during the birth of Bounce music, Pigott transitioned to producer and gained popularity for his mixtape techniques that positioned him as one of the most influential music creators in the region helping shape the careers of Big Freedia, Magnolia Shorty, 5th Ward Weebie, Josephine Johnny, JaSizzle, Partners-N-Crime and many others. He has also produced for the likes of Juvenile, Master P, UTP Skip and the Soul Rebels. Pigott produced global chart toppers “In My Feelings” and “Nice For What” for Drake and the Top 20 soundtrack single “Ride or Die” with Megan Thee Stallion and Vickeelo. Pigott was also among the writers credited in Beyonce’s lead-off single “Break My Soul,” for which he won a 2023 Grammy in the Best Dance Electronic Recording category.
Also New Orleans born, Harrison has earned many industry accolades for his creative works. His shared producing credits include co-authoring Drake’s hit “In My Feelings”, engineering Chris Brown’s single “Gimme That” and “Graffiti,” and co-producing Lil Wayne’s hit single “Lollipop” which led to a Grammy win in the Best Rap Songwriter category. Harrison also produced Lil Wayne’s hit album “Tha Carter III” which led to a win in the Best Rap Album Producer category. He also shared co-producing credit with Kanye West on “Let the Beat Build.” Harrison has sold over 75 million records ever since his career began as a producer, engineer and artist. He also contributed alongside Donald Harrison Jr. to such movie scores as “Right to Return” and “Rachel Getting Married” by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Johnathan Demme.
New Orleans born NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison Jr. is the camp’s Artistic Director. Jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player Dr. Eddie Henderson is the 2023 Artist-in-Residence. Dr. Eddie Henderson is the Jazz Icon Instrumentalist Artist-in-Residence. Jazz Camp faculty members include Donald Harrison, saxophone; Darrell Lavigne, piano; Dwight Fitch, piano; Brian Quezergue, electric bass; Chris Severin, upright bass; Jonathan Bloom, percussions; Herman Lebeau, drums; Don Vappie, guitar; Roderick Paulin, saxophone; Marlon Jordan, trumpet; Andrew Baham, trumpet; Joel Dyson, vocals; and Breonna Jordan, swing dance and Norman Dixon Jr. second line dance. A faculty member who will teach trombone is still to be announced. Ninety percent of the camp’s faculty members are degreed teachers.
The late Sir Edward “Kidd” Jordan was the camp’s co-founder and Artistic Director Emeritus. “Kidd dedicated his life to teaching youngsters of all ages. His passing is the end of an era of music education in New Orleans. His spirit and determination was a shining example that gave musicians the confidence to express themselves with ‘no compromise,” said Harris. The camp’s other co-founder was Harris, who at the time served as the Executive Director of the Music and Entertainment Commission of New Orleans as part of Mayor Marc Morial’s administration. The camp was presented by the Music and Entertainment Commission until 2002. The New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee assumed the responsibility of presenting and raising money for the program.
The Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp is sponsored by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation along with the ASCAP Foundation, Loyola University New Orleans, Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Arts Council of New Orleans, Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, City of New Orleans, Universal Music Group’s Task Force for Meaningful Change, Goldring Family Foundation, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Newburns, Mark & Kara Samuels, Dr. Christopher E Marrero, Michele A. Brierre, Newell Usdin Fund, Ed Robinson – L&R Security Services, Kent & Christine Jordan, Dr. Sidney & Vaughn Fauria, Angela O’Byrne and Perez APC, Marc H. Morial, Sybil Morial, Thomas Rieke, Preservation Hall Foundation, Hon. Marlin and Renee Gusman, New Orleans Paddlewheels, Dr. Michael White, Dr. Ned Shimizu, Jackie Harris and Jacques Morial.
