I attended 2023 Texas Jazz & Blues Camp for the first time and I didn't know what to expect. I was the oldest, tallest student with the smallest instrument!. The experience and musicianship of the instructors was astonishing: we were getting tips on playing from Andre Hayward--a Jazz at Lincoln Center alum--and Don Braden, who blew with Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard. The musical wisdom they passed on to us about constructing solos, honoring the melody, listening to each other, tips on practicing, and sage advice on how to approach playing jazz music, all that is priceless. I can say my five days at Texas Jazz Camp was inspirational...I'll be sipping from that spring for a long time.