Two years ago I became Camp Director of San Jose Jazz Summer Jazz Camp. What a pleasure it has been watching the camp grow! I am really looking forward to camp this year, which will be the 20th Anniversary SJZ Summer Jazz Camp, June 20 to July 1, at Valley Christian High School. I’ve been busy spreading the word at schools all over the South Bay. We’ve done jazz clinics at Westmont High School, Kennedy Middle School, Moreau Catholic High School, Santa Teresa High School, Miller Middle School, Foothill High School, Homestead High School, Amador Valley High School, Kipp Colligiate High School, Herman Middle School just to name a few. I am always amazed at the talent of these young musicians. We’ve been doing it long enough now that I am fortunate to occasionally perform professionally with some of the former campers. The camp experience never gets old. I get the greatest joy seeing and hearing students that are unsure of their abilities participate and conquer those fears. The reward is seeing them succeeding at the final camp concert in front of friends and family. We give them the tools and experience to feel good about doing just that. This year along with the usual big band, small ensemble, vocal ensemble and Latin Jazz bands we continue to offer classes in theory, composition, music tech, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Jazz history as well as master classes for all the instruments. And this year we are adding a guest artist. We are pleased to have trumpet player Etienne Charles working with and performing with the students at camp. “Etienne Charles delivers the goods" (Downbeat Magazine). Please help spread to word to a young middle school or high school musician you know. We would love to help them play the possibilities at the 20th Anniversary SJZ Summer Jazz Camp. Mark your calendars: Friday, June 24, 8:30pm SJZ Summer Jazz Camp Faculty Concert, Cafe Stritch SJZ Summer Jazz Camp Information and Registration My band Idiot Fish 3 just released our new CD (this’ll be my 10th as a leader). We will also be playing at festivals over the summer, including the SJZ Summer Fest on Sunday, Aug. 14 at 12pm at the Cafe Stritch Stage. And we will be touring China in September. I continue to keep busy playing with many fantastic Bay Area musicians as a sideman, teaching many wonderful aspiring drummers, and I continue my association with DRUM! Magazine as their music editor. 2016 is shaping up to be a good one!