Aspiring young musicians are encouraged to apply for the 31st annual Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp, where they will have the opportunity to study with world-class professionals.
“Over the last three decades, more than 2,500 students have improved their skills and built lifelong relationships at the Jazz Camp,” said Jackie Harris, executive director of the camp and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation. “Through our new partnership with NOCCA and the offer of additional scholarships this year, prospective students have a real opportunity to get a leg up for the future.”
The Jazz Camp will begin on Monday, June 2, and continue through June 20, 2025, at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), located at 2800 Chartres Street. Tuition varies for in-state, out-of-state, and returning students, and more scholarships are available this year. Students applying for full or partial scholarships must be recommended by their music teacher. Auditions will not be required for this year’s camp.
For more information or to register, call (504) 715-9295 or email jazzcamp@louisarmstrongjazzcamp.com.
Classes at the Jazz Camp traditionally include instruction in woodwinds, brass, piano, electric and upright bass, drums, strings, vocals, large and small ensembles, big band, hip hop, as well as swing and second-line dance. Students must be enrolled in the Jazz Camp as an instrumentalist or vocalist to qualify for the hip hop course. They must also be between the ages of 14 and 21 and be invited to participate.
New Orleans-born NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison Jr. serves as the camp’s Artistic Director. Legendary jazz drummer, bandleader, clinician, and author Mike Clark will serve as the 2025 Artist-in-Residence.
A California native, Clark was among the founders of the distinctive East Bay Sound emerging from Oakland in the 1960s. He set the rhythms for Herbie Hancock’s acclaimed group, The Headhunters, in the 1970s and completed a two-year stint with Phil Collins’ British jazz/rock fusion band, Brand X. As a jam band leader in the 2000s, Clark brought together cross-generational talents and special guests, including Charlie Hunter, Skerik, Robert Walter, DJ Logic, Les Claypool, George Porter Jr., and Bill Summers. He also worked with Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, and Killah Priest on Platinum and produced three releases for spoken word artist Tony Adamo.
During the pandemic, Clark hosted numerous online drum clinics and released an acoustic jazz-style album of Beatles tunes with Michael Wolff and Leon Dorsey. He is a founding member of the online interview series The Stick People. Most recently, Clark continues to tour and co-leads the world-famous Headhunters with Bill Summers. His latest album, The Stuntman, features Donald Harrison Jr.
Jazz Camp faculty members include Donald Harrison Jr. (saxophone), BlaqNmilD (hip hop), Darrell Lavigne (piano), Dwight Fitch (piano), Brian Quezergue (electric bass), Chris Severin (upright bass), Jonathan Bloom (percussion), Herman Lebeau (drums), Don Vappie (guitar), Roderick Paulin (saxophone), Marlon Jordan (trumpet), Andrew Baham (trumpet), Breonna Jordan (swing dance), Kelly Dixon and Norman Dixon Jr. (second-line dance), and Stephanie Jordan (vocals).
The late Sir Edward “Kidd” Jordan was one of the camp’s co-founders and served as Artistic Director Emeritus. Jackie Harris, the camp’s other co-founder, was executive director of the Music and Entertainment Commission of New Orleans during Mayor Marc Morial’s administration. The camp was presented by the Music and Entertainment Commission until 2002. Since 2023, the New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee has assumed responsibility for presenting and fundraising for the program.
The Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp is sponsored by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, along with the New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee, ASCAP Foundation, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Goldring Family Foundation, Cox Communications, Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Hon. Freddie King III, New Orleans City Council, City of New Orleans, Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Arts Council of New Orleans, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Ruth Fertel Foundation, Kent & Christine Jordan, Preservation Hall Foundation, Newburns, Mark & Kara Samuels, Newell Usdin Fund, Thomas Rieke, Marlin and Renee Gusman, Dr. Michael White, Michele A. Brierre, Kirk & Holly Groh, Jackie Harris, and Jacques Morial.
Armstrong Academy Supporter: Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.”
