A sensational new generation!

The 56 youngsters from SIMM Blues Camp

in performance tomorrow!

Montreal, Saturday, July 5, 2008 - Again this year, the Blues Camp thrilled some 50 lucky youngsters! Fifty-six young people ages 13 to 17 got to spend-free of charge-a dream week at the SIMM Blues Camp, presented by TD Canada Trust in the context of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal! And tomorrow, starting at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, we will all get a glimpse at this young generation’s exceptional talent at the performance showcasing the graduates of the Blues Camp’s 3rd edition, when they take over the Club Jazz TD Canada Trust stage as part of the Les Soirées jazz TD Canada Trust series.

Held at the CEGEP du Vieux Montréal right near the Festival site, this year the Blues Camp welcomed a particularly talented batch of teens-who had already blown the event organizers and judges away at last April’s auditions-with their exceptional energy and fresh approach. They were selected to enrich their musical knowledge and live an intense week immersed in their musical passion in the company of professionals from the music world. The boundless enthusiasm they have been displaying ever since is totally contagious-and you can bet that an up-and-coming generation of such high calibre will not be sitting in the shadows for long…

Divided into groups on the basis of their musical knowledge upon arrival at the camp, these young people have been putting together their own musical creations all week long. And this is what they will be presenting in tomorrow’s concert, which will be the first stage appearance for many! But believe me, they could not have received better preparation… Their stay at the camp was anything but a rest, with its many enriching get-togethers and workshops. Idols for some, the likes of Dan Thouin, Steve Hill and Dawn Tyler Watson shared their knowledge and techniques with the 56 youngsters, featuring keyboard, guitar and voice respectively. Not to mention a visit from Stephen Barry, who treated them to his blues anthology show-thrilling the young fledgling musicians-and Jim Zeller, the famous harmonica player who dropped by to jam with them! Lastly, there was Bob Harrisson, who led the drum workshops, Rick L. Blues, the harmonica sessions, and André Leroux, Jocelyn Couture together with Mohammed Alkabir who ran the brass workshops. Classes, workshops, backstage visits, low-key musical get-togethers, shows by some of the Jazz Festival bands, rehearsals, practices and pleasure filled the daily schedule of the youngsters registered in the Blues Camp. And one thing is sure: they did not just sit around!

Tomorrow then, at 7 p.m., on Sunday, July 6, the last day of the Montreal Musical Instrument Show and of this musical day camp, when they take the Club Jazz TD Canada Trust stage on site at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, we’ll have the chance to look at the future of music!

The Blues Camp offers its warmest thanks to TD Canada Trust, whose continued proud sponsorship and presentation hit just the right note, making this musical dream camp possible. Our sincere thanks also go to partners Steve’s Music Store, Mel Bay, Aebersold, Vox, Pearl, Marshall, Korg, Phonic and Markbass, CÉGEP du Vieux Montréal, CIBL Radio‑Montréal 101.5, Couleur Jazz 91.9 and the Canada Council for the Arts.

To find out all there is to know about the Blues Camp and the SIMM, visit the website at simmontreal.com.

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