Jam Camp West
Jam Camp West
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2025 FACULTY
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Josiah Woodson
Instrumental Ensembles
Now a GRAMMY award winning sideman (for work on Beyoncé’s Love on Top), as well as a band leader recently releasing the long anticipated debut album Suite Elemental, Josiah Woodson picked up trumpet at the age of 12. As a product of the Oaktown Jazz Workshop he refined his craft under the private instruction of his late mentor, Khalil Shaheed.
Woodson obtained his Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, where he studied under Marcus Belgrave. Moving to Boston to receive a Master of Music degree (with academic honors) from the New England Conservatory of Music, Woodson was selected to perform at the Panama Jazz Festival with Danilo Perez, David Sanchez, Victor Paz, and Kurt Rosenwinkel.
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Mark Rosenthal
Steeldrum
Mark has been teaching steel drum classes in the Bay Area since 1996. He is now co-director of Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp, where he also teaches. After earning his BA in Music Performance at Humboldt State University in 1992, Mark traveled to Trinidad and performed with Phase 2 Pan Groove during the 1994 annual Panorama competition. He is also currently teaching at East Bay School of Science and Art, Head-Royce School, Joaquin Miller Elementary, and the annual summer jazz program Jazz Camp West. caribbeansteeldrums.com
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Daria Johnson
Instrumental Ensembles
Daria 'Shani' Johnson is a San Francisco based drummer, singer and multi-instrumentalist. Her style is solid, smooth, dependable and sensual. Her dynamic spirit has earned her the title as one of the most sought-after drummers in the Bay Area.Shani’s appetite to create flourished at a young age.
In Los Angeles, she began playing music while attending elementary school. Excelling in the art form, music became her primary subject. She continued her education at Hamilton High Academy of Music. Awarded a scholarship she went on to Berklee College of Music, where she studied with Victor Mendoza, Larry Finn, Rick Considine, Anne Peckham, Luanne Warner Katz and Joe Hunt. Her exceptional skills with percussion and drums brought her to San Francisco where she co-founded the band London Street. drumdariajohnson.com
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Simon Russell
Instrumental Ensembles
As a musician, Simon has had the great honor of performing with The James Brown Band, El Debarge, Ziggy Modeliste, Elvin Bishop, Pete Escovedo, Vet Stone, Rose Stone, The Angels, Anika Noni Rose, Tom Politzer, Micheal Blankenship, Kevin Levar, Professor Sylvester Henderson, Sylvester Burkes, Kim Waters, John Nemeth, Mads Tolling, Tony Lindsay, Tommy Castro, David Grissom, Lady Bianca, Mitch Woods, EC Scott, Zakiya Hooker, Curtis Lawson, Beverly Stoval and many that are truly remarkable musical phenoms yet to be discovered on a grand scale commercially. In 2007 Simon Russell performed with the Soul Generals in Toronto, Ontario, Canada opening for the Morris Day and The Time.
In 2012, Simon joined Kim Waters to perform for and honor Quincy Jones on Black History Month. In 2013, Simon joined Paula Harris and the Beast of Blues who were awarded a Blues nomination and multiple Blues awards for their release "Turning On The Naughty". Simon is also a prolific composer and songwriter with hundreds of compositions throughout his career, covering many different styles and genres.
In 2018, Simon started a music school for youth and adults called Notes Music Academy as well as a non-profit, Notes for Change, both helping the community to develop and flourish their artistic expression through music education and mentorship.
JAM CAMP WEST PRODUCERS
Stacey Hoffman —Camp Director, Living Jazz
Stacey Hoffman is the founding Executive Director of Living Jazz, and is pleased to take the role as Camp Director in 2023. She came to the position with an extensive background in music, dance and fine arts, along with 7 years of experience in business management. She co-founded the organization originally to help save a faltering summer music program, Jazz Camp West from extinction, and has gone on to design and launch several Bay Area music programs, many of which have become Bay Area treasures. She has produced Jazz Camp West since 1984, co-founded the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir in 1986; the Fall and Spring Music Series in 1988; RhythmVoice in 1990; and Jazz Camp Weekend in 1991. She created the Oakland Jazz Choir in 1992, “In the Name of Love”, The Annual Musical Tribute honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2001; The Living Jazz Children’s Project in 2005, and Jam Camp West, a music camp for 10-15 year olds, in 2007. Through her love of the arts, commitment to Living Jazz and dedication to her work, Ms. Hoffman has been responsible for bringing literally thousands of people together, fostering a sense of inspiration and community within the Bay Area’s jazz scene. Stacey has also worked as an MFT licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Berkeley since 1988 and is the mother of two adults sons.
“When advertisements for other camps say that they will create lifetime memories, it is often just marketing. Jam Camp West really provides memories and life changing experiences and truly does “transform lives through music.” Not only have I remembered nearly every second of my experience at camp, but I have also found a goal to build up to through the year. Overall, Jam Camp is truly an experience I wait the whole year to go to.”