Grappelli-Django Summer Camp is now open!

Sign Up

Welcome!

I’m Tim Kliphuis, director of the Grappelli-Django Camps. Last year, we had our biggest Summer camp yet with 100 participants from 25 countries. On August 29th, 2024, we kick off the 15th edition in Beukenhof Biezenmortel (NL)! Our star guest: guitar genius Sebastien Giniaux! Other tutors to be confirmed are Reinier Voet, Nick Sansone (gtr), Eva Slongo, Karin van Kooten (vln), Simon Ort (b) and myself.
Come join us for a fun learning experience that will greatly improve your gypsy jazz jamming…

Our All Star concert will take place on 31 August. We look forward to welcoming you! After that, you can join us at the intimate Winter Jam (9-12 January 2025).

We are dedicated to giving musicians of all levels, from beginners to (semi-) professionals, the best possible improvisation boost. An experience you won’t forget!

In memory of Max Bédouelle (1980 – 2021)

WHERE

Conference Centre De Beukenhof
Capucijnenstraat 46
Biezenmortel, The Netherlands

WHEN

Summer Camp ’24
Thursday to Sunday
Aug 29 to Sept 1, 2024

Winter Jam ’25
Thursday to Sunday
January 9 to 12, 2025

WHO

All violinists, guitarists and bass players.
We accept other instruments, too: clarinets, cellos, accordeons, flutes and lots more!


Europe’s leading Workshop Camp for Gypsy Jazz

Grappelli-Django Camp was started by violinist Tim Kliphuis and guitarist Reinier Voet in Holland in August 2010. They had worked together extensively in the Fapy Lafertin Quintet and both had many years of teaching experience.

“Gypsy Jazz” is the style made famous by Parisians Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in 1934. Their all-string jazz group is still seen as Europe’s biggest contribution to jazz history.

The aim of the camp is to offer a long weekend of world-class tuition for international players and help them get better year by year.


Jam & meet people from around the world

Jamming is an important part of the Camp, as this is your chance to try out things you have learned in the workshops. With around 20 nationalities participating each year, it’s also a great way of building friendships all over the world!

Grappelli-Django Camp does not audition. A basic command of your instrument is required. Entries are taken on a first come, first serve basis. The wide range of levels (beginner – intermediate – advanced) demands a dedicated teaching staff and good planning. Level-based instrumental workshops are alternated with ensemble lessons where all levels meet, short private lessons, a guest clinic and, of course, guided and open jam sessions.


The world’s top Gypsy Jazz players

At Grappelli-Django Camp, we’ve had some of the best-known players in the world. From gypsy guitarists Fapy Lafertin, Paulus Schäfer and Samson Schmitt to violinists Tcha Limberger, Eva Slongo and Fiona Monbet …

But being a star performer is not enough. This camp is about learning and that’s why we only choose players who are either already established teachers or have an interest in passing on their wisdom to others. This ensures that we can all learn in a positive atmosphere.


Latest News

Testimonials

Every year, Grappelli-Django camp changes my to-do list into a let's-do list!

Markus Tinner
clarinettist (Switzerland)
*****

Jon Widerøe Harr
guitarist (Norway)
A great gathering of people from all over the world who love this music! The common jam in the evening is a very important part of the camp.

Johannes Siepen
guitarist (Germany)
A unique meeting in the world of music: so many jazz lovers, rhythms and melodies under the auspices of music masters, all generations together.

Bernard Bonnet
clarinettist/violinist (Réunion)