Vocal jazz camp includes free public performances

KALAMAZOO--The ninth annual Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Camp will be held on the campus of Western Michigan University Sunday, June 24, through Friday, June 29, bringing participants from across the nation and as far as South Africa to Kalamazoo to work with the University's internationally acclaimed vocal jazz instructors.

Camp participants will perform nightly in downtown Kalamazoo. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the music from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, June 25-28, at the Union Cabaret and Grill, 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall. There is no cover charge and no reservations are necessary.

The camp will conclude with a final concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, in WMU's Dalton Center Recital Hall. Admission to the closing concert is also free and open to the public.

Dr. Stephen Zegree, director of the University's award-winning vocal jazz ensemble, Gold Company, will host the program. More than 40 high school and college students and teachers from 10 states and South Africa will join Zegree and a team of prominent musicians to learn jazz solos and develop their group vocal abilities.

Other professional musicians on Zegree's staff include: Duane Davis, Diana Spradling, Michael Wheaton, Ly Tartell, Michele Weir, Nich Mueller, Martez Rucker, Sam Weber and Christian Euman.

For more information, contact Meredith Bradford at (269) 387-4678 or meredith.bradford@wmich.edu.