"Try putting in something unexpected when you play."Bassist Yasushi Nakamura's challenge brought a sudden tension to the rehearsal room as young musicians responded by improvising, at one point shifting the rhythm from swing to Latin.The exercise was part of the Seiko Summer Jazz Camp, where aspiring musicians receive direct instruction from professionals active in the United States and elsewhere, and where the lessons go beyond technique.The camp, which marked its 10th anniversary this year, seeks to pass on a central part of the spirit of jazz: learning to value differences and respond to…READ FULL ARTICLE
