Hot Jazz at City Summer Camp

Hands were clapping and feet were tapping at the Manhattan School of Music Summer Music Camp when ASCAP members Dr. Billy Taylor and Wycliffe Gordon visited the camp to teach and make beautiful music with the 130 campers who hail from all five boroughs of New York City.

In early July, Mr. Gordon, a composer, trombonist, conductor and educator, taught campers about technique and improvisation. He stressed the importance of practice and hard work.

Later in the month, Dr. Taylor, the renowned pianist, composer, educator, arranger and ASCAP Foundation Board member, wowed the campers with his performance and lesson in jazz piano, improvisation and harmony. He fielded questions from campers wanting to know his favorite music, instrument, performer, composer, and song. At the end of the session, a student ran up to Dr. Taylor to ask, "Was that Gershwin you were playing? I loved what you were doing and I have never seen such a famous jazz pianist – thank you - that was really cool!"

Since 1999 The ASCAP Foundation has partnered with The Manhattan School of Music and NYC Department of Education to provide a tuition-free summer music education program to public school students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to develop their musical talents. Funding for this program is made possible through The ASCAP Foundation Irving Caesar Fund, the Billy Joel Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts.