Welcome to Culture Connection

Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District's newsletter,
featuring the events, stories, and people of our community

Last week Sierra Jazz Society Board Members visited the Nevada County Arts Council’s office. We took a moment to to learn more about their history, mission and vision.

GVNC Cultrual District: Please share a brief description of your organization.

Sierra Jazz Society: We began offering jazz camp in 2001 when we also established our non-profit status. We have always welcomed all ages to jazz camp, workshops and jazz jams. Our renowned founder, Bill Douglass, drew in many local and regional musicians to learn and play. We have continued the tradition of inclusiveness and top-notch teaching.

Saxophonist & Educator Matt Langley has been performing and recording professionally for 45 years, and teaching for 30 of those years at community music schools, public and private K-8 schools, high schools, colleges, summer jazz camps, and more. 

Dr. Josh Novic began his jazz saxophone journey in the vibrant Santa Cruz jazz scene before retiring from his career as a neurologist. He has attended numerous summer camps and jam sessions and is a regular participant at the Berkeley Jazz School.

Flutist Nora Nausbaum holds a masters degree from the prestigious New England Conservatory. She has taught at the college level in Michigan and Arkansas. She currently leads her own band locally, has an active private teaching studio and has been on the board since its inception.

Dr. John Lace has been in Grass Valley since 1999 as our area’s only pulmonary physician. John chose medicine over music as a career yet stays very active playing acoustic bass and keyboards on the local music scene.

GVNC: What is your Mission Statement?

SJS: The Sierra Jazz Society is a California 501C3 non profit organization dedicated to Jazz education, presentation and promotion in Nevada County and the surrounding areas.

GVNC: How do you serve the community? 

SJS: Sierra Jazz Society promotes jazz education for all ages through our annual week long Jazz Camp, and regular single day workshops.

The Annual Bill Douglass Memorial Picnic in Nevada City’s Pioneer Park, now in its 5th year, showcases local and regional jazz professionals in a free concert for all ages. 

Members of the board and of the Jazz Society participate in the bi-weekly jazz jam sessions at the Wild Eye Pub (2nd Sundays of the month, 6-9PM) and Grass Valley Brewery (4th Sundays of the month, 3-6 PM). 

Members of the board and jazz camp faculty members have performed for students in the music department at Nevada Union High School. Members of the board perform regularly on Mill Street in Grass Valley to promote the Jazz Society and jazz music in general. 

GVNC: What do we love about our creative community? 

SJS: Although Nevada County is relatively small, we have an enviably outsized arts community. We have some top-notch jazz musicians who have chosen this beautiful county to call their own. 

GVNC: What are you most excited about? 

SJS: We love seeing young players connect with other players, learn, and have fun at jazz camp, the workshops, and the jazz jams. They are the future. We have received testimonials from past jazz campers who say Jazz Camp changed their life in many positive ways. 

Sierra Jazz Society - Jazz Camp!

June 16 through June 20, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Oak Tree Campus
18847 Oak Tree Road, Nevada City

Jazz Camp is a fun, focused, and supportive environment. You’ll jam with motivated peers and study with a faculty of professional musicians and educators.

All instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to attend. Advanced Middle School Students through Adults!

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Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District
PO Box 1833
Nevada City, CA 95959-1833