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Blues Kids Foundation (BKF) has presented Fernando Jones' Blues Camp International on college campuses and performing arts centers across America and throughout the world. We are an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. BKF was established to preserve, perform and promote the Blues among America's youth, parents and educators under the tutelage of highly qualified instructors. Our focus is on education, literacy, Social Emotional Learning and Music as a Second Language.

Blues Camp Brochure (Click to download)

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"The non-profit Blues Kids Foundation holds annual Fernando Jones Blues summer camps, 

where students as young as eight or nine years old hone their chops."

Rolling Stone Magazine (Click for article)

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"[Fernando] you are one in a million trying to get to the bottom of the barrel of the Blues.”

Buddy Guy (Click to see photo of the two)

"Unlike Jazz camps, camps that focus on the Blues are a rarity.

[Fernando] Jones’ Blues Camps have become an annual rite of Summer."

Downbeat (Click for article)

"Few Chicago Blues musicians have done more to nurture

the next generation of talent than guitarist Fernando Jones."

Chicago Tribune (Click for article)

Read our scholarly essay in the Journal of Popular Music.(Click here)

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Check out some of our awards. (Click to here)

Blues Camp International is supported and brought to you in part by:  Columbia College Chicago, Mary Barnes Donnelley Family Foundation, Lefort-Martin Fund, Tom Liebman, DCASE, Knotty Luxe Arts Foundation, PERT Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Federation of Musicians (Local 10-208), Rotary Club of Chicago, Facebook/Network for Good, Navy Pier Chicago, D’Addario Foundation, The Chicago (IL) Metro Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, M.U.S.T Foundation, Bobbie’s Screen Printing and The Lassandrello Family.

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Blues Kids Foundation Friends include but are not limited to: WGNTV, NBC5 Chicago, One Brick Foundation, Thinking Computers, Downbeat Magazine, the Society Incorporated, The Chicago Chapter for the Arts, Reggie’s Rock Club, Edward G. Irvin Foundation, Music Box Foundation, Delta Arts Center (NC), A Sound Education, Lois and Line Cornell.

Blues Camp Education Partners include but are not limited to: Columbia College Chicago, B.B. King Museum and Interpretive Center (MS), Winston-Salem State University (NC), Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center, KOP Mentoring Network (FL), Tokyo School of Music and Dance (Japan), Chicago Public Schools (Hendricks, Esmond, Powell Paideia Academy, Pershing and Owen Schools), ETA Creative Arts Foundation, and Lynn Public Schools.

If you'd like to make us your charity of choice click the secure "Donate" button.

Blues Camp International
Fernando Jones' Blues Camp on WGN

Fernando Jones' Blues Camp on WGN

04:31
Blues Camp on Around Chicago at Esmond 2:23

Blues Camp on Around Chicago at Esmond 2:23

02:23
Blues Camp w/Ana Belaval at Esmond (1:13)

Blues Camp w/Ana Belaval at Esmond (1:13)

01:13
Blues Camp Florida

Blues Camp Florida

02:48

Fernando Jones & My Band!
Fernando Jones & My Band! Feat. Felton Crews and Quincy Cochran.

Fernando Jones & My Band! Feat. Felton Crews and Quincy Cochran.

02:59
Fernando Jones & My Band!

Fernando Jones & My Band!

03:00
Fernando Jones' Silent Movie Promo

Fernando Jones' Silent Movie Promo

00:13
Fernando Jones & My Band!

Fernando Jones & My Band!

00:29

Our Structure

​Assessment Measures

Click here for the Kennedy Center's ArtsEdge Standards that we use.

ISBE

Illinois State Board of Education Goals and Standards

Illinois State Board of Education RCDTS Code: 150160043P10000

​Assessment Measures

  • Pre-Course Evaluation

  • Oral and Written Quizzes

  • Homework Assignments

  • Class Participation

  • Rehearsal Performance Prep

  • Concert Performances Evaluation

  • Final Presentation Project

  • Exit Course Evaluation

Goals

• Get the Blues Kids to play together as one in an ensemble.

• Have Blues Kids perform on stage and present as professions.

• Introduce students to the art of live professional performance.

• Make performing live music exciting and fun for all.

• Provide Blues Kids with the basic skills (musically, socially, emotionally and linguistically) necessary to play proficiently and effectively in a music community.

• Introduce this indigenous American art form to new audiences.

• Expose Blues Kids to the art of digital music making and learning while embracing technology.

• Present the next generation of musicians as scholars and proficient players.

Objectives

• Introduce the history of American music through the lens of the Blues.

• Keep the Blues youthful and exciting, while preserving the past.

• Represent the next generation of Blues artist as scholars and proficient players + vocalists.

• Learn the importance of the Blues from a sociological and historical perspective focusing on the future.

• Use critical thinking skills and collaborate with others.

• Apply practical skills learned in class in a culminating activity on stage.

Lessons + Basic Charts

Charts for educational purposes at Blues Camp. Not for transfer or sale.

Lesson Plans (Click to download PDF)

Chicago (Has Got Everything You Need) Lesson Plan

 

Song Charts (Click to download PDF)

Chicago (Has Got Everything You Need) Score

Chicago - Trombone

Chicago - Trumpet Bb

Chicago - Trumpet Bb #2

Chicago - Trombone

Chicago - Bass Line

Chicago - Violin

Chicago - Chicago - Alto Sax

Chicago - Baritone Sax

She's Got Everything But a Man (Lesson Plan and Lyrics)

Freddie & Bettie Butterfly (Lesson Plan and Lyrics)

Freddie and Bettie Butterfly (Guitar Tabs)

Freddie and Bettie Butterfly Silent Video Story

Mr. Hobo (Lesson Plan and Lyrics)

Mr. Hobo (Animated Film)

Mr. Hobo (Original Cartoon)

Other songs for the horn Ensemble 2020

Rescue Me - Master Rhythm

Rescue Me - Horns in Bb

Rescue Me - Horns in Eb

Rescue Me - in C

Thrill is Gone - Violin

Thrill is Gone - Cello

Thrill is Gone - Bass

Thrill is Gone - Strings

Uptown Funk - Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone

At Last - Cello and Violin

Free Online Lessons by Fernando Jones

BluesLoops Bass & Guitar Video

BluesLoops Piano Lines (For Practice)

BluesLoops Drums For (Practice)

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