Welcome to Jazz Up!
Preparing the next generation in jazz for the collegiate and professional world.
Jazz Up!
Summer Combo Camp
June 22-26, 2026
Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL
The Jazz Up Summer Combo Camp is a five-day program dedicated to small group playing and improvisation skills, led by world-class, Grammy-winning artists in Chicago. Engage in masterclasses, combo rehearsals, faculty performances, jazz and Latin rhythm classes, career forums, jam sessions, and group lessons that will elevate your musicianship and expand your artistic horizons. Jazz Up is held between 10 am and 5 pm daily, allowing participants to explore Chicago's rich Jazz scene in the evenings, with access to live performances at some of the city’s most iconic venues.
Courses include:
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Combo rehearsals
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Group Lessons
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Afro-Latin rhythm classes
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Career discussion forums
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Faculty Concerts
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Masterclasses
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Daily jam sessions
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Final Concert
Past faculty has included:
Sharel Cassity, Richard Johnson, Clark Sommers, Larry Brown, Alejandro Salazar, Marques Carroll, Kyle Poole, Neil Hemphill, Scott Hesse, Victor Garcia, Katie Ernst, and Kirby Fellis.
Past guest artists: Quincy Phillips, Justin Robinson, Reggie Thomas, Pharez Whitted, and Michael Dease.
Jazz Up is a nonprofit 501-c3 organization that offers jazz students a platform to study improvisation, gain experience playing in small combo settings, and obtain insight into navigating collegiate and professional worlds.
Jazz Up's philosophy is to meet the students where they are to realize their creative potential. Through jazz music, we emphasize the importance of community, relationship-building skills, real-time decision-making, and communication techniques.
Each summer, our world-class faculty teaches a packed schedule of activities, including masterclasses, lessons, rehearsals, career and professionalism sessions, public concerts, and industry discussions for students at all levels. Our activities and offerings are fun and challenging, and we strive to create an environment dedicated to promoting the importance of peer-to-peer support, ensuring everyone can grow and discover their voice in a positive, nurturing environment.
Program Director and President Sharel Cassity, a nationally renowned jazz artist, founded Jazz Up in 2021 after observing that many high school students need more opportunities to connect with like-minded students and understand the possibilities within the collegiate and professional music-making world. At Jazz Up, students gain a "step up" to earning scholarships, succeed in the collegiate world, and find community and confidence through improvisation.
Our students arrive eager for opportunities to workshop their ideas, develop their craft, work directly with top artists and educators of Chicago, and connect with other like-minded students. In addition, students will simultaneously sharpen critical life skills that traverse any field, such as:
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Communication skills
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Information processing
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Working with others/ collaboration
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Leadership skills
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Critical thinking skills
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Memory building techniques
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Self-confidence
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Take a deeper dive into American history through Jazz
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Community building ethos
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Creativity
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Life planning strategies
Jazz Up gives students a foundation that prepares them to embark on a future in both music and non-music fields while having a safe space to develop their unique identity and voice.
Learn More About
Jazz Up
Rehearsals and Classes
Activities at Jazz Up
Combo Rehearsals
Through the group's combo repertoire, instructors teach jazz harmony, ear training, rhythmic techniques, and solo construction. Students learn to embrace new challenges, push creative limits, and work on leadership and listening skills.
Rhythm Classes
Each morning students warm up with a rhythm class, learning traditional Latin, Afro-Cuban, and New Orleans rhythms related to swing.
Masterclasses
Each day will feature one of our illustrious faculty in a masterclass. Students are invited to participate and ask questions to each artist.
Faculty will also lead daily lunch panel discussions covering professionalism and career paths.
Group Lessons
Instruments will have the opportunity to have personalized instruction in group lessons on their instrument.
Faculty Concerts
The faculty will give a short concert each day with a Q&A session following. Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in demonstrations
Jam Sessions
Each day culminates in two jam sessions divided by level, where students will have the opportunity to participate in or observe faculty-guided jam sessions. Students sharpen their skills and put new information into practice while creating a sense of community.
All Videos
Alejandro 2 Short
2024 Concert Clip, "Close Your Eyes" by Bernice Petkere
Jazz Place BBQ and Jam Session 2024 "Cold Duck Time" by Eddie Harris
Apply Here
Dates: June 22-26, 2026
Program Schedule
Daily schedule: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Early warm-up and set-up begins at 9:30 AM for students who would like extra time.
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Monday, June 23: Check-in begins at 9:30 AM
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Friday, June 27: Final Concert at 4:00 PM
Tuition & Scholarships
Tuition: $450
Early Bird Rate: $425 if enrolled by
April 15
A limited number of scholarships are still available. To apply, please email jazzupinstitute@gmail.com with a brief description of financial need and musical experience/skill level.
Location
Jazz Up will take place at Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL.
Out-of-Town Accommodations
A variety of nearby hotels and Airbnbs are available close to campus. Families may also choose accommodations about 20 minutes east of ECC for easier access to downtown Chicago during the evenings.
Placement Recording
All students should submit a short placement recording by June 8, 2026. Everyone who applies will be accepted and placed in an ensemble—these recordings simply help us place students in the group that best fits their experience and learning goals.
Prepare 2 selections from the list below:
Horns, Piano, Guitar, Bass
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A medium or up-tempo swing tune
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Melody + 2 choruses of solo
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A blues tune
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Melody + 2–4 choruses of solo
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A groove, Latin, or straight-8th tune
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Melody + short solo
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Drummers
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A medium swing tune
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Play time/comping for 2 choruses + 1–2 solo choruses
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A groove or straight-8th tune
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Groove for 1 chorus + short solo
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Beginning Improvisers
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An etude, classical piece, or method/book selection
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Four major scales of your choice
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Piano: hands together optional
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Chromatic scale
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Full range preferred; one octave optional
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How to Submit
Complete Step 4 and use the audition upload form link to submit your recordings by June 8, 2026.
*Students who do not submit a placement recording may be assigned to an ensemble based on availability, which may not reflect the best fit for their current skill level and experience.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are based on need and/or merit. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please send a letter to Sharel Cassity at jazzupinstitute@gmail.com stating your musical background, goals, and why you are requesting a scholarship. Funding for scholarships is limited; applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Additional Merch:
Show your Jazz Up spirit! Each student receives one official 2026 Jazz Up T-shirt, but you can grab extra shirts for family, friends, or fans and help support our program at the same time. Don’t miss your chance to represent Jazz Up in style!
*all t shirts will be sent home with students or available for pickup at the registration desk at the start of camp
Ready to Join the Jazz Up Experience?
Step 1: Complete the Online Application Below
Step 2: Pay via credit card or Zelle below:
Credit card instructions: Enter your tuition amount in the "donation" field below and follow the prompts. If you have a scholarship, enter the name of it on your application form.
Zelle instructions: Either scan the code beneath the donation field or send payment to "jazzupinstitute@gmail.com" in Zelle
Step 3: Complete the Required Forms
Step 4: Upload your audition.
Audition uploads are due by June 8th, 2026.
If you experience any difficulties with the Google Form or audition links above, please email a private YouTube audition video link to jazzupinstitute@gmail.com.
All audition submissions are due by June 8th.
You’re all set — watch for emails as we get slocer to the date. We can’t wait to see you this summer at Jazz Up!
Support our Cause
Every gift to Jazz Up helps support the next generation of jazz musicians, creators, and community leaders. As a nonprofit organization, your tax-deductible donation helps us provide an inspiring, welcoming, and affordable environment where students can grow as artists, build confidence, and form lifelong connections through music.
With the support of donors and sponsors, students experience mentorship, collaboration, and performance opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Your generosity helps keep these experiences accessible for families while strengthening arts education in our community.
Whether through sponsorships, scholarships, volunteering, or sharing your time and talents, every contribution helps jazz education thrive. Thank you for believing in our students and the power of music to inspire and transform lives.
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Footprints
(Wayne Shorter/ Miles Davis)
$1-$249
Thank you! Your donation will help young, deserving musicians attend Jazz Up at an affordable cost.
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Cuttin' the Changes
$250- $599
Package #1 plus:
- A signed “Thank You” from the students and faculty
- A digital group photo
- A digital concert program
- A link to the final concert
3
A Love Supreme
(John Coltrane)
$600-$999
Packages #1 and # 2 plus:
-A Jazz Up camp T-Shirt
- Tickets to the venue of a live performance by Sharel Cassity or Richard Johnson
- Current albums by Sharel Cassity and Richard Johnson
Jazz Legacy
$1000 +
Packages #1-4, plus:
- A live duo concert/ discussion with Sharel Cassity and Richard Johnson at an agreed-upon date and time. Available via Zoom if out of area.
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Sponsor a Student!
$450
Your contribution will enable Jazz Up to offer more merit-based scholarships to students needing assistance. Students receiving scholarships are extremely grateful!
More ways to help:
Donate Food or Skills!
Lunch Donation
Make the day special and promote your business by providing lunch! We will send a student group to perform at your location if desired.
Skills
Graphic designers, web designers, and social media professionals are always needed and welcome.
Jazz Up is proud to be supported by the generosity of our private donors and valued industry partners, whose continued support helps make our programs possible:
• Yamaha Corporation Band & Orchestra
• Vandoren (saxophone and woodwind equipment)
Contact Us
For questions, inquiries, or more information about Jazz Up, please contact Sharel Cassity at:
Email: jazzupinstitute@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you!