Summer Jazz Workshop

FAIRFIELD — Young instrumentalists are invited to hone their skills at the 2005 Summer Jazz Workshop sponsored by University College at Fairfield University. Led by Brian Torff, a master bassist and composer who is music program director at Fairfield, the workshop will run from Monday, July 11, through Friday,  July 15, with a final morning concert.

The workshop offers middle school, high school, and college students an intensive jazz experience combining instruction, improvisation and theory with summer recreational activities. Students will perform in jazz ensembles and study rhythm, world music history, jazz arranging and composing.

Mr Torff has played with jazz legends Stephane Grappelli, George Shearing and Erroll Garner and has written scores performed by Boston Pops, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pittsburgh Symphony. The New York Times called him “a virtuoso bassist, imaginative and distinctive in his solos, but more than that, a solid composer and arranger.”

Jazz Workshop participants must have at least two years of experience on their instrument and have a basic-music-reading ability. Camp counselors will provide full supervision.

Tuition is $400 before May 16 and $450 after May 16. For more information, call University College at 203-254-4307.