2027 Adult COLAJazz Camp
July 22–25, 2027
Columbia, South Carolina | Ages 18+
Four days of playing jazz, building confidence, and making music with people who love it as much as you do.
The ColaJazz Adult Jazz Camp is an immersive four-day experience for adult musicians who want to improve their jazz playing, become more comfortable improvising, strengthen their musicianship, and spend meaningful time making music with other adults.
You don't need to be a professional jazz musician. You don't need to walk into a jam session already knowing every tune.
You just need to play an instrument—or sing—and want to grow.
All experience levels are welcome. Combos are grouped by ability and experience.
Serious Jazz. No Intimidation.
Adult musicians come to jazz from very different places.
Some have played for decades. Some are returning to an instrument after years away. Some are music educators who want to strengthen their jazz skills. Others are accomplished musicians who simply haven't spent much time improvising.
That's exactly why we created this camp.
The ColaJazz Adult Jazz Camp combines high-level jazz instruction with a supportive, low-pressure environment where musicians can ask questions, take chances, make mistakes, and get better.
Campers consistently describe the experience as encouraging, patient, welcoming, and community-oriented.
The goal isn't to prove how much you already know.
The goal is to help you play more jazz.
What You'll Experience
Over four days, campers participate in:
Small jazz combos
Improvisation
Practical jazz theory
Rhythm and groove
Guided listening
Jazz language and repertoire
Faculty coaching
Masterclasses with professional jazz artists
Ensemble rehearsals
Jam sessions and playing opportunities
A culminating performance
Our approach is practical:
Learn something. Put it into practice. Play.
Built Around Playing Together
One of the most valuable parts of the Adult Jazz Camp is simply getting to make music with other people.
Campers rehearse and perform in small combos grouped by experience level, allowing everyone to work at an appropriate pace while receiving direct coaching from professional jazz musicians and educators.
You're not sitting in a classroom all weekend.
You're playing.
And along the way, you're learning how to listen, interact, improvise, support an ensemble, and become more confident making musical decisions in real time.
Who Is This Camp For?
The Adult Jazz Camp is open to musicians ages 18 and older, including:
Serious hobbyists
Returning musicians
Music educators
Semi-professional musicians
Vocalists and instrumentalists
Classical musicians exploring jazz
Players new to improvisation
Experienced jazz musicians looking to sharpen their skills
Musicians who simply want more opportunities to play with others
Whether you're learning your first blues solo or have been playing jazz for years, we'll work to place you with musicians at an appropriate experience level.
A Jazz Community, Not Just a Camp
Something happens when adult musicians spend several days learning and playing together.
People make friends. Bands form. Musicians exchange numbers. Players who were nervous about improvising begin volunteering for solos.
That sense of community has become one of the defining characteristics of the ColaJazz Adult Jazz Camp.
For musicians who may find a traditional jazz jam session intimidating, the camp provides a place to develop skills, gain confidence, and learn in an environment specifically designed for growth.
Our hope is that you leave camp not only playing better, but feeling more comfortable participating in the larger jazz community.
What Campers Say
“SUPERB. The quality of instruction was excellent, the masterclasses were outstanding, and the final concert was a blast. There was real camaraderie and community. I attended another nationally known jazz camp later that summer, and ColaJazz was better—the instruction here was more focused.”
— Jeremy I., 2026 Adult Jazz Camper
Our 2026 camper survey showed:
91% rated the quality of instruction Excellent
91% said they would probably or definitely return
9.87 out of 10 average likelihood of recommending the camp to another musician
And one of the most common requests?
More time playing.
We're listening.
Tuition
$315
$295 Returning Camper & Referral Rate
The reduced rate is available to previous ColaJazz Adult Jazz Camp participants and eligible musicians referred by a returning camper.
Tuition includes four days of instruction, ensemble coaching, rehearsals, masterclasses, and the culminating performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need jazz experience?
No.
Some familiarity with your instrument is necessary, but you do not need extensive jazz or improvisation experience.
Campers range from musicians relatively new to jazz to experienced players. We group musicians by experience whenever possible so everyone can be appropriately challenged.
I'm nervous about improvising. Is this camp for me?
Yes.
In fact, that's one of the main reasons the camp exists.
Improvisation can be intimidating when you're learning it in public. Our faculty works to create an environment where you can experiment, make mistakes, ask questions, and develop confidence.
Is the camp only for advanced musicians?
No.
This is a serious music program, but it is not an elite or audition-only jazz camp.
We welcome musicians at different stages of their development and organize combos and instruction accordingly.
Do I need to be able to read music?
Basic music-reading ability is helpful, but you do not need to be an exceptional sight-reader.
Jazz involves reading, listening, learning by ear, rhythm, interaction, improvisation, and musical communication. Our faculty works with all of those skills.
Are vocalists welcome?
Yes.
Vocalists are welcome and participate as musicians alongside instrumentalists.
What instruments are welcome?
Jazz musicians on traditional rhythm-section, horn, and related instruments are welcome.
This generally includes:
Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Piano
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Voice
If you play another instrument and aren't sure whether we can accommodate it, contact ColaJazz before registering.
How are combos assigned?
We consider instrument, experience level, jazz background, and overall ensemble balance.
Our goal is to create groups in which everyone can contribute, learn, and be challenged.
Will I perform?
Yes.
The camp culminates in a performance where the combos have an opportunity to share what they've been working on.
The emphasis isn't perfection.
It's making music and celebrating what everyone has accomplished.
What should I bring?
Bring your primary instrument and any accessories you normally need to play.
Depending on your instrument, that may include reeds, sticks, cables, tuners, pencils, and other personal equipment.
Additional logistical information will be sent to registered campers before camp.
Are meals included?
Unless otherwise noted in your registration materials, campers should plan to provide their own meals.
Detailed daily schedules and break information will be provided before camp.
Is lodging included?
No.
Campers traveling to Columbia are responsible for their own lodging and transportation.
ColaJazz may provide recommended nearby accommodations and visitor information before camp.
Can I attend only part of the camp?
The program is designed as a four-day experience, and full participation is strongly encouraged.
Combo rehearsals depend on everyone being present.
If you know you have a scheduling conflict, contact ColaJazz before registering.
Is there an age limit?
The Adult Jazz Camp is for musicians 18 and older.
There is no upper age limit.
What if I haven't played my instrument in years?
You're not alone.
Returning musicians are very much part of the community this camp was created to serve.
Brush off the instrument and come play.
Registration
July 22–25, 2027
Columbia, South Carolina
Ages 18+
Tuition: $315
Returning Camper & Referral Rate: $295
Space is limited because instrumentation matters when building balanced combos.
Early registration gives us more time to create the strongest possible ensemble experience.
[REGISTER FOR THE 2027 ADULT JAZZ CAMP]
Refund Policy
Refund requests may be submitted until 14 days before the first day of camp.
Within 14 days of camp, registration fees are nonrefundable.
By that point, ColaJazz Foundation has already committed funds toward faculty, facilities, program operations, equipment, and other camp expenses.
Terms & Conditions
By registering for the ColaJazz Adult Jazz Camp, participants acknowledge and agree to the following:
Registration & Payment
Registration is considered complete when all required registration information and payment have been received.
Enrollment may be limited by overall capacity and by instrumentation needs within individual ensembles.
Participation
The Adult Jazz Camp is a collaborative ensemble program.
Participants are expected to attend scheduled rehearsals, classes, masterclasses, and performances and to interact respectfully with instructors, staff, and fellow campers.
Ensemble Placement
Combo placement is determined by ColaJazz Foundation based on instrumentation, enrollment, musical experience, and overall ensemble needs.
Registration for a particular instrument does not guarantee placement with specific musicians, instructors, repertoire, or ensemble configurations.
Our goal is to create the strongest educational experience possible for the entire camp.
Schedule, Faculty & Programming
Published schedules, instructors, guest artists, classes, rooms, repertoire, and activities are subject to change when circumstances require.
ColaJazz Foundation reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments when necessary while maintaining the overall quality and educational purpose of the program.
Refunds & Cancellations
Refund requests are accepted until 14 days before the first day of camp.
Within 14 days of camp, registration fees are nonrefundable because camp funds have already been allocated toward faculty, facilities, equipment, program operations, and related expenses.
If ColaJazz Foundation cancels the camp in its entirety, registered participants will receive information regarding available refunds, credits, or other options.
Participant Conduct
ColaJazz Foundation is committed to providing a professional, welcoming, and respectful learning environment.
Harassment, discrimination, threatening behavior, substantial disruption of camp activities, or conduct that endangers another participant may result in removal from the program.
Personal Property
Participants are responsible for their own instruments, equipment, and personal belongings.
ColaJazz Foundation cannot assume responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property.
Health, Safety & Accessibility
Participants are responsible for determining their own ability to safely participate in camp activities.
Participants who require reasonable accessibility accommodations are encouraged to contact ColaJazz Foundation in advance so we can work to support their participation.
Photography & Media
ColaJazz Foundation may photograph or record camp classes, rehearsals, performances, and related activities for educational, archival, promotional, and nonprofit communications purposes.
Any additional media-release terms presented during registration will govern the use of an individual participant's likeness.
About ColaJazz Foundation
The ColaJazz Foundation is a Columbia, South Carolina-based nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening community through jazz.
We create opportunities for musicians to work, students to learn, audiences to experience live jazz, and people from different backgrounds to connect through music.
Our programs include concerts, festivals, school outreach, jazz education, summer camps, professional development, radio programming, and year-round opportunities for musicians throughout the Midlands.
