Atlanta A.M.: Rock 'n' Blues Camp

Metro Atlanta

Atlanta A.M.: Rock 'n' Blues Camp

Musicians 10 to 18 years old come here to spend a summer week honing their skills on bass, guitar, drums and keyboard.

David Robinson (from left), 11, adjusts his ear plugs while band members Robyne Lawry, 15; Daniel Lough, 18; Austin Suhr, 13; and Avery Seben, 16, play at Chicago Joe's Rock 'n' Blues Camp in Atlanta.

Emma Cooke, 16, belts out Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love" with guitarist Hank Frantz, 15. Their band is called Banana Holsterz. Cooke, 16, said her dad raised her on "everything from Bonnie Raitt to reggae."

Instructor Dustin Sargent transcribes music from an iPod to guitar tablature as student Shannon Kirk, 14, plays in the background.

Musicians 10 to 18 years old come to the camp to spend a summer week honing their skills on bass, guitar, drums and keyboard.

Chicago Joe Jones, an imposing dreadlocked native of the South Side and veteran teacher in both Catholic and public schools, starts the day at the camp.

One of the camp's bands works to learn a list of songs. Friday night the campers will perform on stage in their newly created bands.

Casey Williams (from left), Joey Ziegler, Drew Hart and Alex Lotito rehearse as the band Highway. They all live in or near Decatur and are 16 except for Ziegler, who is 15.

Chicago Joe's Rock 'n Blues Camp is at Spring4th in Midtown.

Shannon Kirk (back) and Maddy Moneypenny, both 14, study a song on a computer before attempting to play it.

Four years ago, Micki Gonzalez, a church choir director and the mother of one of Jones' guitar students, urged him to start a summer camp for aspiring young musicians. She agreed to take on the administration, and the two became partners.

Sean Hutton, 15, plays drums.

Mickey Nelligan, 15, and instructor Eskil Wetterqvist take part in the camp.

A student works on technique.

Jones checks on the band Highway, including members Casey Williams (center) and Joey Ziegler. He said he appreciates the kids' raw talent and enthusiasm. "What they're lacking is help and instruction," he said. "I enjoy being able to watch these kids learn and grow."

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David Robinson (from left), 11, adjusts his ear plugs while band members Robyne Lawry, 15; Daniel Lough, 18; Austin Suhr, 13; and Avery Seben, 16, play at Chicago Joe's Rock 'n' Blues Camp in Atlanta.

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