Frequently Asked Questions — New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp

The 2027 New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp will be held at the beautiful Royal Sonesta Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter.

Week One for the 2027 camp is June 13–18.

Week Two for the 2027 camp is June 20–25.

Approximately 11-15 campers are accepted per instrument, per camp.

Campers must be at least 13 years old on the first day of camp, and campers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (Please have a parent or guardian contact us with your exact situation if you are under 18.) All campers must be proficient in their instrument.

You should have a basic proficiency with your instrument, an understanding of chord structure, and a basic ability to read sheet music to fully enjoy Jazz Camp. We do not accept beginners who are just learning their instrument to register.

You don't have to be proficient in traditional jazz to get the most out of camp. But you should have a basic proficiency with your instrument, an understanding of chord structure, and a basic ability to read sheet music.

Trumpet or Cornet, Clarinet, Alto, Soprano, and Tenor Saxophone, Piano, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Bass, Tuba, Drums, and Vocalists are all accepted.

We supply Pianos, Acoustic Basses, Tubas, and Drum sets. Drummers need to bring cymbals, sticks, brushes, and a clutch. (Clutches may be obtained at camp with a deposit.) Also, bring any special percussion extras with which you may want to work (cowbells, wood blocks, etc.)

In the case of an emergency we can put you in touch with someone who will be able to repair your instrument. Instruments should be in good working order before you arrive at camp, however.

No.

We have plenty of music stands.

Yes.

Once your tuition is paid in full you will receive links for the music we will be using for the camp. Please print out the music or download to a tablet from those links and bring it with you.

No.

Traditional Jazz was originally played acoustically, so no amplification is used.

No.

There are pianos or keyboards in each classroom. You are welcome to bring a melodica or small tambourine for the second line parade.

Yes, all reed players need to bring their own instruments and reeds.

Drummers need to bring their own cymbals, brushes, sticks, drum strap (for marching), and clutch. Also bring your splash cymbals, cowbells, wood blocks or anything else you might want to add to your drum set.

If you prefer, camp can provide a Clutch for a $25 deposit. (The deposit will be refunded when you return the Clutch at the end of camp.)

If you’re not bringing your own, we can provide a tuba or sousaphone. If you use one of ours, please bring your own mouthpiece.

Vocalists are encouraged to bring a recording device to record rehearsal material (most smart phones have recording capabilities and should work fine).

Yes, all first time registrants must submit a video at least 2 minutes long showing them playing their instrument. Audio files will not be accepted.

First time campers are required to submit a video showing them playing before they can be accepted. The first step is to register for camp. After you submit your registration you will see a page where you can submit a headshot and a video. You can either upload a video or send us a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video. You will also receive an email with a link to submit a video. You can submit a video in any format.

Tuition is $2,750. We require a $100 deposit when you register. ½ of the balance is due within 30 days of when your application is approved. The remaining balance is due by the end of March. If your application is not approved your $100 deposit will be refunded.

No.

½ the balance is due within 30 days of when your application is approved, and the remainder is due by the end of March. If a payment plan is necessary please contact the office at info (at) tradjazzcamp (dot) com

Tuition includes:

6 nights at a French Quarter hotel (Sunday–Friday)

We accept a number of payment forms including all major credit cards, personal check, and PayPal. You can also pay your balance through the invoice link we will send you through your email after registration.

You do not need to have a PayPal account in order to use PayPal to pay your invoice.

Please make your check to New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp and send it to:

New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp
PO Box 15851
New Orleans, LA 70175

Please indicate on the memo line of your check the payment is for tuition.

Because there are a limited number of seats available for each instrument, and due to the planning involved, we are unable to provide a full refund of your tuition should you need to cancel. Below are our cancellation fees:

- before January 1: $100
- before March 1: $500
- before May 1: $1000
- after May 1: $1300

Special consideration for cancellation due to medical emergencies will be handled on an individual basis. Please contact the camp to inform us of your situation.

The New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp welcomes any contributions to our scholarship program. See our Scholarships page for more information.

We'd love to list your company or individual name in our list of supporters. Please see our Donate page for more information. A list of current supporters is on the Supporters page.

Your tuition includes a hotel room at the Royal Sonesta hotel from Sunday afternoon through Saturday morning. If you need additional nights, simply indicate them in the room requirements section of the registration form. We’ll make your reservation once payment is received and invoice you for any additional nights. All hotel reservations MUST be made through the camp.

Rooms are NOT shared with other campers unless you specifically request to share a room with another incoming camper. If you ARE sharing a room with another camper, both of you will get a tuition reduction. If you would like more information, please contact us.

There is no additional charge for a significant other or friend sharing the same room. There is a $40 per person, per night charge for more than two people in a room, however.

The group rates for extra days are:

King: $185 a night
Double (2 Queens): $185 a night

Campers can request additional days before and/or after the camp. These are subject to hotel availability. Our group rates are:

King: $185 a night
Double (2 Queens): $185 a night

Just let us know, and we’ll make the arrangements and invoice you for the additional amount.

Yes. You can add breakfast, lunch or both; the prices per person are:

Lunch only: $225 for the week
Individual days: $33 a breakfast, $45 a lunch
Both breakfast and lunch: $390 for the week
Breakfast only: $165 for the week

Advance notice to add meals is required before camp begins.

We will make every effort to accommodate those with special dietary needs. Please contact us no later than 30 days before the beginning of camp with your requirements.

The 2027 camp will be held at the beautiful Royal Sonesta Hotel at 300 Bourbon Street.

Ground transportation is available from the airport through Lyft, Uber, and various taxi companies. The cost is approximately $35-$45.

We also recommend Shawn with NOLA Ambassador. Contact Shawn at 504-281-7301 and mention that you’re attending the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp to receive his best rate.
www.NOLAAmbassador.com

We understand that many people have concerns about traveling with their musical instrument. Checking the instrument as baggage could result in a lost or damaged instrument, depending on the carrier and how it is handled by the baggage handlers.

Congress and the FAA clarified the law regarding bringing a musical instrument as a carry-on as part of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act. Here are the provisions of that act:

To summarize, you can bring a small instrument with you as a carry-on if it will fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you, providing there is room to do so when you board the plane. The instrument is treated no differently than any other carry-on, which means if the carrier charges a fee for carry-ons, you may need to pay a fee.

Larger instruments can also be brought on board if you purchase an extra ticket so they can be placed in the seat next to you AND they are in a case or covered properly.

Here are more details:

• SMALL INSTRUMENTS: An air carrier shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee the carrier may require for comparable carry on baggage, IF —

(A) The instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage as established by the FAA; AND

(B) There is space for such storage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.

• LARGER INSTRUMENTS: An air carrier shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instrument that is too large to meet the requirements as a small instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to the fee of an additional ticket, IF —

(A) The instrument is contained in a case or covered so as to avoid injury;

(B) The weight of the instrument, including the case or covering, does not exceed 165 pounds OR the applicable weight restrictions of the aircraft;

(C) The instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage;

(D) Neither the instrument nor the case contains any object not otherwise permitted to be carried in an aircraft cabin because of a law or regulation of the United States;

(E) The passenger wishing to carry the instrument has purchased an additional seat to accommodate the instrument.

See also "What do I need to know about checking my instrument as baggage?"

We understand that many people have concerns about traveling with their musical instrument. If there is no room in the overhead compartments when you board the plane, or if you have a larger instrument and do not want to purchase an extra ticket explicitly for it, you will be required to check the instrument as baggage.

Congress and the FAA clarified the law regarding checking a musical instrument as baggage as part of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act. Here are the provisions of that act:

To summarize, an instrument must be checked as baggage if it is too large to qualify as a carry-on, AND you do not want to buy an extra ticket for it. Its total size (length+width+height) cannot exceed 150 inches, including the case. It cannot weigh more than 165 lbs. (including the case). Finally, if it qualifies as a carry-on, it should be carried on with you unless there is no room to store it.

Larger instruments can also be brought on board if you purchase an extra ticket so they can be placed in the seat next to you AND they are in a case or covered properly.

Here are more details:

• LARGE INSTRUMENTS AS CHECKED BAGGAGE

An air carrier shall transport as baggage a musical instrument that is the property of a passenger that may not be carried in the aircraft cabin, IF —

(A) The sum of the length, width, and height of the instrument (including the case) does not exceed 150 inches OR the applicable size restrictions of the aircraft;

(B) The weight of the instrument does not exceed 165 lbs OR the applicable weight restrictions of the aircraft;

(C) The instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage.

See also "Can I bring my instrument on an airplane as carry-on baggage?"

If you are traveling by car, the Hotel offers a overnight parking rate of $35 charged to your room.
There are also many parking lots around the French Quarter within walking or pedicab distance of the hotel.

The Lagniappe jam session on Saturday starts at approximately 11:30 AM at an offsite venue that will be announced at camp.

There may be an additional Saturday nighttime jam session at a venue that will be announced at camp.