Welcome to KeyAction Summer/Fall 2001

Clavinova Goes to Summer Camp

Each summer for the past eight years, the beauty of the Monterey, California coastline has been enhanced by jazz from the Monterey Summer Jazz Camp. This past June, 140 high school and middle school students – selected from a field of 335 applicants – received $500 scholarships from the Monterey Jazz Foundation to attend the popular and intensive two-week educational program. For the first time, three Yamaha Clavinova CLP930 digital pianos were used, making it possible for each big band and master class to have its own keyboard.

"Yamaha has always been so generous to us," says Education Program Coordinator Stella LePine, noting the many Yamaha pianos and keyboards provided to the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival each September by Gadsby's Music Company in Salinas. "Having the Clavinovas at Summer Jazz Camp was important, because we could move them around as we needed for last minute room changes. The kids loved playing them, and they certainly made my job easier, especially since they don't need tuning! They made a big difference."

The Clavinovas were used in master classes taught by Clinician Ross Tompkins (who performed in The Tonight Show Band for many years) and other clinicians, as well as by vocal accompanist Dick Whittington and young pianists in a variety of high school and middle school jazz bands. Classes covered jazz theory, history, improvisation, and other topics geared to beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Combo and Big Band concerts were staged on Wednesday and Thursday nights, with parents invited to attend.

"The big bands and combos were composed of students at mixed ability levels to encourage beginning level students to play their best," notes LePine. "They played harder, and benefited from the challenge. The camp was a lot of hard work, but well worth it!"

Larry Tharp, vice president and general manager of Gadsby's, says, "There were many talented young pianists at this year's camp, and they all had a great time. We were pleased to be a part of it and appreciate the ongoing efforts of the Monterey Jazz Festival to keep jazz alive." Gadsby's provides support, equipment, and instruments throughout the year for MJF events in addition to the annual Festival, including the High School Jazz Band competitions held in April.

Yamaha District Manager Chuck Dadisman, who was also involved in establishing this new relationship with MJF, says, "We're thrilled that Clavinova digital pianos will be used at this growing summer camp, and look forward to a long relationship with it, just as we have with the Monterey Jazz Festival."

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