Uncle Willie visits Aebersold Camp 2011

Willie Thomas | August 2, 2011

Willie Thomas and Jamey Aebersold

In 1977 at the National Association of Jazz Educators in Daytona Beach, I watched a young man give a clinic on jazz improvisation. His name was Jamey Aebersold and after watching, I made a decision to enter jazz education in earnest. At the time, I owned music stores in Orlando and had been working with several recently minted school jazz programs.I realized that a new and real opportunity existed to keep jazz alive and help it grow.  And grow it did, with hundreds of programs now in schools around the world. Jameyʼs influence and contribution to this success cannot be overstated. His jazz materials have become the core of the jazz education movement. Jamey's summer jazz camps have provided training and inspiration to thousands of jazz players young and old over the past almost 40 years. So, hereʼs a few highlights from my first visit to the Aebersold Jazz Camp in Louisville Kentucky this summer at the tender age of 80 years young!

Left to Right: Jamey Aebersold, Ed Soph, Jerry Coker, Dan Haerle, Rufus Reid, Dr. Dave Baker

Jamminʼ with Jamey

In the video, I am doing a special number with Jameyʼs rhythm section. The bass player, Tyrone Wheeler, was once jazz camp attendee. Steve Allee, piano and John Higgins live close by and teach at the camp.

Old Friends

All of the gentleman in the picture are top jazz educators that I have had contact with over the past 40 years. It was great seeing and being with these friends and others that share this wonderful experience of teaching kids to play jazz.
One on One with Jamey

This video of just me and Jamey was one of my favorite moments at camp. Playing with just the piano is always a treat, especially if itʼs Jamey Aebersold! Other special pleasures were my visits with Jamey to the Cracker Barrel for some serious fried catfish and collard greens, yumm!

Jammin' With The Kids

Uncle Willie with the kids

One of my favorite times was playing with the kids after the evening concerts. What an opportunity for these young musicians to be with others making music.

Jazz with Lunch
The music never stops. Theory classes first thing in the morning, followed by combo rehearsal, then lunch where I made this video, then master classes, another combo session and then the evening concerts.

Jamey Aebersold, me and Bobby Floyd from Colombus, Ohio

It was great seeing my friends Dave Liebman and Ed Soph

Camp staffer and Jazz Everyone's first 'Toot and Tell' critique. It was great seeing some of our Jazz Everyone members at Jamey's camp

Playing with Steve Davis, one of the best t-bone players I've had the privilege of jamming with for many years (video coming soon!)