The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill‘s Summer Jazz Workshop is well underway. Musicians of all ages can be heard honing their craft in the halls of the Kenan Music Building. One question worth asking, though:
· Why come to UNC to study Jazz?
I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Sam Cifani, a pianist participating in the Jazz Workshop, to find out.
“I’m self-taught,” he says. Hearing him practicing on the piano, though, you’d think he was coached by Nat King Cole or Duke Ellington. “I just wanted to see where I’m at.”
Learning on your own can be a daunting challenge. Sam feels he has gaps in his ability, being self-taught, and aims to smooth those out over the course of the workshop.
The workshop helps in this regard: whereas jamming with other musicians and learning together can be a challenge in more rural settings or over the summer, the workshop offers participants daily and nightly jam sessions.
“I went to one of the late night jam sessions,” Sam says. “I enjoyed it a lot.”
That’s exactly what the workshop gives its participants: an opportunity to grow alongside fellow musicians. However, it doesn’t stop there. The faculty — industry professionals and published musicians — provide lessons on individual instruments.
“The teachers are great; they just give such great advice and ideas on jazz,” Sam replied when asked about the professors.
In the evenings, too, participants are invited to join their piers in Moeser Auditorium for daily concerts from Grammy Award nominated musicians like Kate McGarry.
It seems evident to me that what the Jazz Workshop offers is a truly special opportunity for budding musicians to grow and learn in a rich, vibrant, community of fellow players.