Miami, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fernando Jones' Blues Camp Miami

Hello from Evonne Alvarez, Principal of New World School for the Arts

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Blues Kids Foundation proudly present Fernando Jones' Blues Camp this summer at New World School of the Arts.

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MIAMI (WSVN) -- A South Florida summer camp is giving children the chance to show off their musical skills as they prepare to put on a show.

The musicians and singers will dazzle with Etta James' "At Last," Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason" and improvised solos, a staple of Blues music. Ian Muñoz, who plays soprano saxophone, said, "This camp is phenomenal. It's totally worth it."

It is the inaugural season of the Blues Kids Camp in Miami, created by Fernando Jones, Director of the Blues Ensemble at Columbia College in Chicago. "Every morning we start off with the Star Spangled Banner because the Blues is as American as hot dogs, apple pie and Cadillacs," he said.

Jones is imparting his knowledge to the children, ages 11 to 18, during a week-long camp that began Monday at Miami-Dade College's Wolfson Campus. Jones said, "The kids that normally would have played sheet music are now learning how to play by ear, and I think that's so important because now they have to listen."

Many auditioned but about 20 were selected to attend the camp for free, and the students have rave reviews. Muñoz said, "I'm exposed to more different types of Blues. Now there's roots to it, and it's exposing me to different types of it, and there's not just one type of form, there's multiple forms of Blues, different styles, but it's really helping me."

Singer Angeline Fontaine said, "It was nice to just sing and have fun, and basically we just sing, practice and have fun. I really like it."

Jones said, "You are giving kids a license to be themselves and to be creative and to grow."

The camp will end Friday with a performance open to the public. Thursday will bring the camp's last trial run. Fontaine said, "I'm going to go home and practice like crazy just to get this song down pat, and I'm just going to go in, and I'm really excited." The students will perform at Miami-Dade College's Wolfson Campus, Friday.

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ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Fernando Jones is a Columbia College Chicago (the nation’s premier performing arts and media school) faculty member and Blues Ensemble director. He's also an American Bluesman, educator, songwriter and scholar. Born to loving Mississippi parents on the South Side of Chicago, Jones was inspired by his older brothers, Foree and Gregory, and that inspiration led him to teaching himself how to play guitar when he was four years old.

Jones is a highly sought-after lecturer focusing on music pedagogy and literacy improvement whose clientele includes the Smithsonian Institute and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Buddy Guy said that Fernando Jones is “one in a million trying to get to the bottom of the barrel of the Blues.” The incomparable Fernando Jones is a 21st Century Renaissance man and the 2008 Keeping the Blues Alive Award recipient (education).

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Media Contacts: Fernando Jones (Blues Kids Foundation)

Info@BluesKids.com

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The Blues Kids Foundation is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. We were 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 and music as a second language.

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TRADITIONAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Meet and Greet

Monday to Friday

8:15 AM Healthy Morning Snacks

8:30 AM Morning Assembly / Roll Call / Star Spangled Banner

8:45 AM Ensemble Sessions Start

11:00 AM Ensemble Sessions End

11:10 AM Special Guest Visitor

11:30 AM Lunch / Recess
12:00 PM Dismissal

Photos by Jeanette Sanchez & Glenn Kaupert

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