Swing West Jazz Society was formed in 2025 following the dissolution of BC Swing Camp, an annual gathering of swing jazz musicians in Sorrento, BC. The Society is registered in BC and operated by a Board of Directors as a non-profit society.
Swing West Jazz Society aspires to create opportunities for the study, performance, and appreciation of jazz and swing music; we meet people where they are, provide opportunities to develop skills though excellent instruction, reduce barriers to access, and champion learning, fun and connection.
The general purposes of the society are artistic, educational, social and charitable; more specifically the purposes are:
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To create opportunities for the study, performance and appreciation of jazz and swing music
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To meet people where they are without judgment
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To provide opportunities to develop skills through excellent instruction
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To reduce barriers to access for all who are interested
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To champion learning, fun and connection through music
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To offer music immersion in annual weeklong seminars
About Swing West Jazz Society
What We Do
Swing West Jazz Society focuses on presenting a weeklong music camp at Sorrento Centre in BC, the annual Swing West Jazz Camp.
Spend an inspiring, challenging, and joyous week with others who share a passion for swing and jazz. The Swing West Jazz Camp provides a friendly, non-competitive environment for everyone from novices to more seasoned players. Our program provides an extensive selection of seminars, workshops, and organized band labs to help you grow as a musician. Our enthusiastic and experienced seminar leaders are chosen for their skill as teachers as well as their abilities as performers.
Our home for the week, Sorrento Centre, is a conference/holiday retreat operated by the Anglican Church of Canada, situated in an old orchard on the shores of Shuswap Lake. Facilities include a covered amphitheatre, private beach and beautiful trails. The site contains two lodges, cabins, lots of campsites and RV spots.
Check out our page in the site menu,"Swing West Jazz Camp", for more information.
Who Are We?
Message from Judy J Johnston, 2025-26 Chair
Swing West Jazz Society grew out of a group of musicians from BC and the US Northwest. Each of us has been part of the "family" created by Rosemary Campbell, who began the first BC Swing Camp in 2001. The camp was held every summer until 2020, canceled because of the Covid pandemic. Camp resumed in 2023, which was the last camp Rosemary Campbell ran before retiring.
Many of us have attended the camp every year since its inception. The friendships, professional relationships, and huge positive influences it has fostered are unmatched! In 2024 we met to discuss how we can revive and continue the camp. A non-profit society has been created to spearhead Swing Camp going forward. We foster open communication and have sent a survey to many past participants to get input on what works and what might need some revision. For me, personally, my mission has been to preserve as much of Rosemary's vision as possible.
We are registered with BC Societies and will be applying for non-profit status which may take some time. We are developing a membership and invite you to visit our Membership page.
The inaugural Board of Directors are: Judy J Johnston, Chair; Terry Hoffman, Vice-Chair; Cathy Ascroft, Secretary; Phil McIntyre-Paul, Treasurer; Polly Wilson, Director; Jake McIntyre-Paul, Director; Dave Myles, Director
Please don't hesitate to contact me personally with questions or input or testimonials or donations or whatever!!..... info@swingwestjazzsociety.org or admin@swingwestjazzsociety.org