And just like that, the 2025 Litchfield Jazz Camp season is over! What an incredible summer it was. It was so fantastic to meet all the new students this year—and all our returning students—excited, inspired, and ready to learn.
Every year, students from all over the country and the world travel to the lovely town of Washington, Connecticut, nestled in the beautiful Litchfield County hills at the prestigious Frederick Gunn School. It doesn’t matter if they were local, drove for hours from a neighboring state, or flew in from the West Coast, the Midwest, the South, or even Europe; the goal was the same. Our faculty was dedicated to inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians, and the students were equally dedicated to learning.
How amazing is that?
With our youngest students at eleven and our oldest at a spry 70, the combination creates a fantastic, non-competitive environment that brings out the best in everyone. I always smile when I call it “non-competitive.” While it’s true, every year students bring their A-game. Whether it was waking up at 6:30 a.m. to get in an hour of practice or staying late to run ensemble rehearsals, every student grew. This is something we don’t have to push—it’s just the culture of Litchfield Jazz Camp. I saw students who were truly inspired by our incredible faculty members through classes, conversations, and friendships.
How could you not be inspired? Zaccai Curtis, fresh off his 2025 Grammy win for Best Latin Jazz Album, told me today, “The thing about our students is they want to learn. They respect the music and want to learn about the history.” I couldn’t agree more; it makes our job easier. It’s hard to even call it a job when we all get to live out our dreams as musicians while inspiring the next generation.
As one of the camp directors, along with Vita Muir, our fearless founder and executive director, and Don Braden, our music director, I get to work with all these students. To see their initial mix of excitement and nervousness at Sunday’s check-in transform into confidence and musical creativity within a week is spectacular. And let’s not forget the friendships that form. Musical confidence and creativity might be the weekly goals, but the overall goal of the Litchfield Jazz Camp is to help create incredible connections, friendships, and memories that last a lifetime. Seeing students practice and encourage each other never gets old. Watching them arrive as strangers and leave with new friends and big smiles is priceless.
Over the four weeks of LJC, I saw hundreds of students create 50 unique ensembles that performed some amazing music, including a very impressive big band. I saw students perform fantastic original compositions at a level that would make even the most seasoned composers proud. I saw collaboration, support, and, for many, those moments where the metaphorical “light bulb” turned on.
As a former student, I still look back on my years at camp with so many smiles and fond memories. I think about all the hours I spent working on my craft during camp and then being hyper-focused all year to get ready for the next summer. Attending camp allowed me to meet some of my future mentors and best friends. I think back on how inspired I was by all the other students who loved this music as much as I did, and still do. I wish the same for all of you.
This music is meant to be shared, so I ask that you take what you learned and share it with your friends. You came here and were inspired; now, for the next eleven months, you can be inspiring. Set musical goals, both short-term and long-term, and remember to practice. Reach out to any of our faculty and staff if you need some extra inspiration or projects. Whether you attended for one week or all four, you are now part of the extended Litchfield Jazz Camp family. Make us proud, and we’ll see you all next year!
Director Of Operations
Litchfield Jazz Camp
Albert Rivera
