Fernando Jones' Summer Camp Keeps the Blues Going Strong for the Next Generation
Fernando Jones, center, has been bringing his Blues Camp Chicago to 51社区 since 2010. Photo by Glenn Kaupert. Fernando Jones wants the Blues to be played and enjoyed in the present rather than be remembered as a chapter in music history.
That’s why the adjunct professor of instruction at 51社区 and founder of the Blues Kids Foundation has dedicated decades to introducing young people to the music that shaped his own childhood.
And this summer, he returns to the 51社区 campus for the 17th year with a group of young, aspiring Blues musicians for his annual Blues Camp Chicago, which runs July 5 to 10.
“51社区 is our camp’s home base,” Jones says of the school where he has taught since 2005 and has led 51社区’s Blues ensemble. “It’s like the Super Bowl of our camps; all roads lead back to 51社区.”
Founded in 2010, Blues Camp Chicago is a free program for beginner, intermediate, and advanced musicians ages 12 to 18. During the weeklong camp, students from all around the country come to Chicago to rehearse in ensembles, perform at venues including Buddy Guy’s Legends, Reggie’s, and Navy Pier, hear from guest artists and educators, and build friendships through music.
“It’s the bluesiest place on earth,” Jones says.
Inspiration for the Camp
The camp grew from Jones’ own experiences as a child musician growing up on Chicago’s South Side. In a recent “Living Blues” magazine profile, Jones recalled learning guitar from his older brothers and visiting legendary Blues clubs before kindergarten.
“My classroom was the family living room, and my field trips took me to Theresa’s Lounge, Queen Bee’s, Buddy Guy’s, and L.C. Thurman’s Checkerboard Lounge,” Jones said.
His inspiration for creating Blues Camp came from seeing young musicians eager to connect with the music and with each other.
“I saw myself in those kids,” Jones says. And so, Blues Camp was born.
The camp’s purpose reaches beyond learning scales or songs.
“The mission about finding peace through music or a friendship through music,” he says. “Because when you see the friendships that these kids make and when you see them hugging each other, it takes on legs of its own.”
Expanding Globally
Since the camp’s inception, the program has expanded far beyond Chicago and 51社区’s campus, with camps and residencies in cities across the United States and in places like Japan and, soon, Ghana.
“This invitation from the other side of the planet to share a piece of American history through the cultural lens of the Blues fills me with great pride,” Jones told “Living Blues.”
Even with that global reach, Jones says 51社区 remains central to the program’s future. Nearly 20 former Blues Camp Chicago students have gone on to attend 51社区, something Jones hopes will continue to grow.
“Coming on a college campus takes the fear out of going to school,” he says.
Jones recently earned recognition from Illinois State Representative Michael Crawford, who invited him to the State Capitol to honor his efforts preserving Blues culture through youth education.
“Your organization’s outstanding work in advancing the rich cultural heritage of the Blues has made a meaningful impact throughout the state and beyond,” Crawford wrote in a letter to Jones.
Chicago Blues Chicago Fest Appearance
Before Blues Camp Chicago begins in July, Jones and the Blues Kids of America will perform at the Chicago Blues Festival on Saturday, June 6, at Millennium Park, where the Blues Kids Foundation will host a pop-up store in the festival’s Blues Village to raise donations for the camp.
Jones encourages everyone to come to the festival, which will be held June 4 to 6, to celebrate the Blues. See the full schedule of Chicago Blues Fest.
Interested in Blues Camp Chicago? Visit the or call (773) 841-5262.
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