by Heather Schaefer - Daily News Staff - hschaefer@rhinelanderdailynews.com

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Jazz is America’s music. We invented it, mastered it and continue to enjoy it to this day.

When most people think of jazz, they think of the cities of St. Louis, New Orleans and Memphis but in the Northwoods, Holiday Acres probably comes to mind.

For the past 30 years, the resort has treated mothers to a relaxing evening of music with its special Mother’s Day Jazz event.

According to Gladys Fritz who handles marketing for Holiday Acres, the Mother’s Day jazz event evolved from resort co-founder Jim Zambon’s love of music.

“Jim Zambon loved music and he wanted to have a special weekend just for mothers,” Fritz said.

“We have a whole package for mothers. They can enjoy our beautiful resort and just chill out,” Fritz added.

This year’s featured performers, The Dave Remington Quintet, join a long list of distinguished musicians who have played at Holiday Acres.

According to the resort’s Web site, in 1971, Doris and Jim Zambon realized a lifelong dream of bringing great jazz to the Northwoods. Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Band and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, among other jazz greats, played Holiday Acres.

The quintet will perform at the Three Coins Dining Room at Holiday Acres at 8 p.m May 11 and 12. Ticket cost is $10. Reservations are suggested and available by contacting Holiday Acres at 800-261-1500 or by visiting their Web site at www.holidayacres.com.

For those looking to do more than just listen to great jazz, Holiday Acres also holds an annual jazz camp every May.

According to Fritz, the camp is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to learn to play America’s music from some of the best jazz musicians in the world.

This year’s proposed list of instructors includes Kim Richmond of Los Angeles teaching saxophone, Clay Jenkins (Eastman School of Music) teaching trumpet, Paul McKee of Kansas City teaching trombone, Lee Tomboulian of Lawrence University teaching piano, Jeff Campbell (Eastman School of Music) teaching Bass, Tim Davis of Chicago teaching drums and Betty Tomboulian of Appleton teaching vocals.

Jim Widner, who hosts several summer jazz camps, and was involved with the Stan Kenton summer jazz camps, will be the camp administrator.

The camp will be held from May 16 though May 19 and is open to “aspiring students of jazz from college age to seniors.”

“The campers are all adults who always wanted to learn jazz (instrumental and vocal) and never had the chance,” Fritz said.

Fritz says campers are encouraged to stay at the resort as instruction begins early in the morning and the camaraderie of sharing time with other students is one of the highlights of the event.

Prices range from $590 to $795 depending on whether you want a single or double occupancy room and whether you enroll as a student or as a non-playing auditor.

The price also includes meals and the use of Holiday Acres’ many amenities.

According to Fritz, one of the main perks of the camp is the chance to take part in jam sessions with professional musicians and hear them tell stories about where they’ve been and who they’ve played with.

The weekend ends with a jazz party during which students can show off all they have learned.

To register for the Jazz Camp/Jazz Party call or write to Holiday Acres Resort (715) 369-1500, P.O. Box 460, Rhinelander, WI 54501 or e-mail: gladysacres@yahoo.com.

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