biography
Since Its Inception in 2004 Camden Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy Jazz Band has been transforming lives. Under the direction of Camden, NJ native Jamal P. Dickerson, A Milken Award Winning graduate from Camden City Public Schools. Mr. Dickerson has created an avenue for students to not only learn and appreciate music, but to use it as a tool for success. Many of the students for CAMVA have continued on and graduated from schools such as Berklee College of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, UCLA and many other great institutions across the country. Graduates from the instrumental music program have since played with artists like Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Adele, Jill Scott to name a few. Camden Creative Arts Jazz Band students have created a name for themselves and for their city. Since 2004 CAMVA has taken 1st place NJ State Finals Competitions numerous time including 3 years consecutively in 2013, 2014, 2015.This year the band will be led by Josh Simms, a senior who will be attending Cornell University in the fall.
The Jazz Band began its journey through music in 2004 when they travelled to Florida for their first ever Jazz competition. The band came back to Camden with trophies including a first place win for Big Band. After their first year in competition the Band began its series of competitions in New Jersey, competing at Overbrook Jazz Festival, Pennsbury Jazz Festival, Willingboro Jazz Festival, Cherokee Jazz Festival-State Preliminary just to name a few. Since there start in 2004 the Jazz Band has won 1st place in 2006 and 2008 at the NJ Jazz State Finals (NJAJE), 1st place Big Band in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival, 1st Small Group in 2010 at Berklee Jazz Festival, 1st place in 2010 at Atlantic Coast Jazz Festival, and 1st place in 2011 at the Calavade Jazz Festival. The Creative Arts Jazz Band has played with Jazz greats including Boosties Barnes, Esperanza Spalding, Sam Dockery, Christian Mcbride, and many more.
The Jazz Band began its journey through music in 2004 when they travelled to Florida for their first ever Jazz competition. The band came back to Camden with trophies including a first place win for Big Band. After their first year in competition the Band began its series of competitions in New Jersey, competing at Overbrook Jazz Festival, Pennsbury Jazz Festival, Willingboro Jazz Festival, Cherokee Jazz Festival-State Preliminary just to name a few. Since there start in 2004 the Jazz Band has won 1st place in 2006 and 2008 at the NJ Jazz State Finals (NJAJE), 1st place Big Band in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival, 1st Small Group in 2010 at Berklee Jazz Festival, 1st place in 2010 at Atlantic Coast Jazz Festival, and 1st place in 2011 at the Calavade Jazz Festival. The Creative Arts Jazz Band has played with Jazz greats including Boosties Barnes, Esperanza Spalding, Sam Dockery, Christian Mcbride, and many more.
