The blues has been the soundtrack to Fernando Jones' life since he was 4 years old. Now, he's fostering the same love of the art form in young people today.
"I've always been a proponent for the blues as a performance piece, but also as an academic, this whole pedagogical bent that I have," he said. "I was like I'm going to go back and revisit that 4 year old little boy that I was 100 years ago because there must be some kids that were like me who wanted kids to play with, but had no organized place to do it."
And that's how Blues Camp started. In 2010, Jones founded the camp, which takes place at Columbia College of Chicago for musicians ages 12 through 18. This year the camp runs from July 5 to July 10.
Along with playing music and learning about the blues, Jones, who teaches at Columbia, said kids also build connections with each other through various outings throughout Chicago.
"It gives kids an opportunity to be with like-minded others," he said. "It is part retreat, part safe haven, it is probably part a psychiatrist couch. So, it is a world where they can be themselves, and that's what they get out of it."
Glenn Kaupert
Since its inception 16 years ago, the camp has only grown. And this weekend, the Blues Kids will be taking to one of the most famous stages in the blues world.
"It's going to be a jam session of the Blues Kids," Jones said. "We also have a pop-up fundraising store in the Blues Village on the grounds of the Chicago Blues Festival."
He said he hopes the experience this weekend stays with the Blues Kids as many of them hopefully pursue careers in music.
"I hope that they keep the door open from this experience," he said. "I hope that they are reverent or respectful to the craft, where they continue to get better, and they spread the gift and the joy of music and love through music. But I guess, ultimately, to have some fun."
The Blues Kids perform Saturday at the Chicago Blues Fest at 3 p.m.
