Testimonials from Campers and Coaches

Jon Gindick,   Jam Camp Owner
"I have put on 35 Jam Camps now, and I have learned more, and received more than anyone. I used to
hate performing with a band, and now I love it. I have been influenced by the great coaches and have made
myself a better player and more complete musician because they challenged me with their knowledge and artistry. Jam Camp opened a new life for me, a community. Thanks, campers and coaches."


Jack Nebo,   Recycling Specialist for State of California
"I've attended 7 Gindick Harmonica Jam Camps, and they've moved me from raw beginner to intermediate level. Jon's instructional information is very helpful (check out Rock n' Blues Harmonica booklet with CD-a must have!!)  I've learned phrasing, tone, emborchure and how to practice.   The 3 day camps are a great way to meet people of all levels, who play harmonica, share, exchange, and support the same passion for playing the harmonica. Jon Gindick, and his highly talented instructors, are
extremely knowledgeable, and passionate in their work .Thanks Jon for keeping the blues alive!"

Dewey Kribs (PhD),  Tampa, retired educational psychologist.
Jon's camps and materials have helped me move from a "closet" raw beginner to a confident and excited intermediate level.  Each of the four camps I attended have given me goals and the knowledge to step up to a new level."

Jan Wells, Tampa, Florida. Lab Manager and Certified Personal Trainer 
"I have attended three Gindick Jam Camps. Since I was a beginner at the first camp, I feel I've come a long way. Jon is an excellent instructor and I have progressed to the point where I can jam along with a song on the radio, figure out what key it's in and get the right harp out. I have so much fun. Thanks to Jon's Camps I've met a wonderful group of folks all over the US who keep giving me inspiration and encourage me to keep on harpin'. Can't wait for the next Tampa Jam Camp!"   Jammin' Jan

Grant Dermody, Professional Harp Player, Jam Camp Coach
"Anyone fortunate enough to participate in one of Jon's Harmonica Jam Camps is sure to emerge with a deeper love and understanding of the instrument as well as a higher level of play. Jon Gindick is an extremely generous, passionate,and gifted teacher."  Grant Dermody http://grantdermody.com

Richard Sleigh, Coach, Harmonica Player and Customizer
"What I love about Jam Camp? The big rush for me is when I see the student's lights come on - the breakthrough moment when someone gets a technique - a bending technique, a breathing technique .... and you just know that it is sinking in fast to muscle memory and they now have it forever....  it is like the moment when I let go of the bicycle and my daughter was riding by herself for the first time.... It is a high and a contact high at the some time. This is what I love about teaching.   It doesn't get any better than this."                                                      Richard Sleigh

Jimi Lee,  Jam Camp Coach,  Professional Musician, Austin, Texas
"What a thrill it is to teach and play at Jam Camp. It is very fulfilling to me, I get so much from giving. The Orient has know for thousands of years that the teacher learns the most; when a player does a bend or tongue-block or vibrato for the first time, or achieves any goal, it is as though I achieved it. My own playing would not be where it is without coaching at Jam Camp.  I am grateful to all the Campers."

Adam Gussow, University Professor of English, harp player vocalist Satan And Adam, author of several Blues Memoirs, and Jam Camp Coach.
"I've been fortunate enough to coach at four of Jon's Gindick's Blues Harmonica Jam Camps, and they just keep getting better--which is saying something, considering how good the first one was.   Jon, a hearty and accessible guru, has found an innovative way of fusing bluesy, beer-stoked jam sessions with a New Age vision of self-empowerment through radical honesty and self-confrontation.  It works!  I've never seen so many guys (and gals) have so much fun.  Breakthroughs happen right and left.  Nobody--coaches included--leaves his camps untouched, or unimproved.  The fact that he has so many repeat customers is a testament to his ability constantly to reconfigure what his camp is about.  We're all part of the Gindick family now:  growing, expanding, and blowing hell out of our harps."

 
Nick Proctor, Retired Forensic Expert
" From  Jam Camps, I gained enough confidence to play impromptu with the band at a dinner that I was attending at a hotel in Canada in June.  The crowd and the band enjoyed my performance and I doubt I would have played without the lessons I learned at jam camp about improvising on fast songs.  Jam Camp provided useful feedback for me to work on my tone which I have been improving ever since." 

Big Al Robinson, Pest Control Company Owner,
"Jon Gindick’s Jam Camps have given me the opportunity to learn from the very best in the nation… and Jon gets on your level and then…shows that he truly cares about you as an individual.  Because of Jon, I play better now up on stage--- or just in front of my friends.”Went out last night (Friday) and stepped in with another great band here in the Atlanta area.  Because of your help I was able to get up on stage without fear and feel empowered to do what I did. And for a 53-year old guy…that’s a trip!  How many other guys in their 50’s are doing what I am doing?" Big Al Robinson

"Bar none, the most unique and thrilling musical experience I've ever encountered." Mark Wilson, Jam Camp Coach

Dr. Bob Brown,  Dallas, Retired College President
"Jam Camps are a blast of fun and energy.  You meet new friends who share your passion for the harp, and you can't but help come away playing better. If you love to play, want to improve, meet new life long friends and go home feeling inspired, then JAM CAMP IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!"

T.C. Carr, Coach at Tampa Camp, Great Harp Player
"Jon, Its been a little while now since the Tampa camp and I just wanted to tell you I had a great time. There were many endearing moments with some of the students and I enjoyed working hard for them. I learned al ot about teaching and found a new passion for it. Thank You. You are a class act and I truly would like to do it again if ever the opportunity comes up."

Scott Saunders,  47 - Fitness Equipment Technician, Sacramento, Ca.   "Through the personal  one-on-ones, group sessions and relaxed atmosphere at Jon's Harmonica Jam Camp not only did I gain a wealth of working knowledge about the Harmonica I was actually given the opportunity to apply it!"

Jim McBride. Electrician, Atlanta, Ga.
"I'm playing gigs with my duo "Smith and McBride" at least twice a month and often more.. Jamming at Jon's Jam Camp in front of other people in the small jams, and at the bigger ones with amplification helped me to realize I could play in front of others. I now play with bands all over town.  All this was made possible by Jon Gindick's books, CDs, and Jam Camps."

Allen Holmes, pro player. Jam Camp Coach
"Jam Camp creates an environment where participants feel safe taking risks expressing themselves with the harmonica.  The campers develop an intimacy and connectedness which promotes immense self discovery.  Jam Camp is also incredibly fun."

Steve Gardner, Building Contractor, Oakhurst California, age 61
“I always have a harp in my pocket and play all I can. Recently I have played three times for churches that I had never attended before because people had heard me play and invited me to play in their meetings (Amazing Grace in cross harp, Sweet Hour of Prayer in 1st position, etc.). Also I play in a band with some friends- we have played for friend's parties a couple of times and had a ball. I have also started playing in jam sessions and been invited back. In short-I am having a lot of fun playing in front of people. The jam camps have been a big help in getting me up in front of others-the Sunday jam with a band has been a great experience in showing us how and getting us up there doing it!”