I’m very excited to announce that Alfred Music will be distributing my new “Swing your Strings” series (alternative styles for Suzuki Students). The series which has been approved by The International Suzuki Association as supplemental material will also be available on my website. Alfred has been the distributor for all Suzuki materials, so I am honored to have my series in the same home as Suzuki.
Doug’s “Spontaneous Christmas” program was a hit with The Fort Smith Symphony. “One of our most successful concerts ever!” says maestro John Jeter. Watch the concert below!
Doug Cameron’s new series, “Swing your Strings” has been accepted by the International Suzuki Association. This new series is unique in that it takes well loved Suzuki songs and adds Cameron’s unique style to the arrangement, including jazz, hip hop, Country, Celtic and Rock influences. “I want to make it fun for musicians to learn how to swing and be able to play these rhythms.” Says Cameron. There are two volumes included in the series which contain a backing track CD.
Juliette Cameron (Doug’s better half) launches her own handmade-in-the-USA children’s clothing company, Chameleon Couture Kids! Mrs. Cameron created the company Chameleon Couture for children (initially her own children) to have comfortable, unique clothing that can cross over the various activities in their lives. On their manfacture, she states “I am also very proud to be able to say that all my items are made here in the USA. This reflects somewhat in the pricing, but it is a good feeling to be supporting local industry here in our own country.”
The company currently offers boys’ and girls’ loungewear, backpacks, cushions, and more, with the line ever-expanding.
We’re proud to announce that major music publisher C.F. Peters Corporation has elected to promote, sell, and distribute Doug Cameron’s recently released four-volume multimedia Alternative Styles Music Book Series.
“Peters is looking forward to making Cameron’s publications available to musicians and dealers throughout the Americas,” Peters says on their website.
Many of you musicians- especially classical musicians- are familiar with the high quality of sheet music that Peters publishes. We are honored to have Doug’s series distributed by such a first-rate organization.
The American Federation of Musicians’ monthly publication International Musician recently interviewed Doug about his impressively diverse career in music, about his newly released music book series, and about Doug’s passion for teaching music to young people. The result is an article in the “Upbeat” section of International Musician‘s June 2013 issue (found on page 19):
Doug Cameron: Guiding Young Musicians
Violinist, composer, and arranger Doug Cameron of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) has long been seen as an innovator of contemporary violin worldwide. He has recorded and performed with a wide range of artists- Doc Severinsen of Locals 47 and 802 (New York City), George Benson of Local 802, Tom Petty of Local 47, and more. He also frequently performs as a soloist with orchestras.
His eight CDs include his original music and span genres from his primary focus of jazz, to Celtic music, and often feature musicians like Local 47 members David Benoit, Lee Ritenour, Boney James, Gerald Albright, Joe Sample, Russ Freeman, and Russ Ferrante. His most recent recording, the two-CD set Different Hats, was recorded in Sydney, Australia, where he performs regularly.
Aside from playing violin all around the world, the 58-year-old’s passion is teaching, particularly working with young people. Having observed how schools have progressively cut back on music programs, he’s made it his mission to teach music to students who have suffered from this plight.
“I am doing what I can,” he asserts. “The unfortunate reality of a lot of the classes I do is with kids who already have violin or string instrument lessons privately. I am hoping to start a foundation where I can get to kids who don’t have the means to start with music.”
At every one of his concerts he gives a speech stressing the importance of music in schools.
In his opening remarks at the outset of his stage performances, he says how he would rather see “a kid bring a violin to school than a weapon.”
“That little phrase,” he says,“has become even more profound since the Newtown shooting. I think music is a discipline. It cannot be duplicated in any form.”
One of Cameron’s latest projects is a music book/CD/DVD series for people of all ages. Cameron sees these teaching tools as an extension of his musical coaching. This series of four DVDs, released in 2012, has been a long time coming as Cameron worked on perfecting it for five years.
The series covers alternative styles: jazz, Latin, Celtic, country, and blues, providing tools for crossing over. The first DVD, Doug Cameron’s Music Book Introduction, is a handbook in DVD form for the music business with an overview of alternative violin technique.
The Music Book Volume 1 book, CD, and DVD is the easiest volume of the series and includes “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “Doug’s Blues,” and other Cameron originals. Volume 2 offers intermediate level instruction with the tunes “Over the Rainbow,” “Time to Say Goodbye,” and other tunes. Volume 3, an advanced book, CD, and DVD, offers “Orange Blossom Special,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” and some upbeat jazzy, funk, and hip hop tunes. The entire set is available at dougcameron.com for $119.95; each volume is also available separately.
Contemporary violinist, Doug Cameron has recorded this CD with talented musicians from all over the world in his travels. Featuring Noel Paul Stookey from “Peter, Paul & Mary” performing his original song, “Christmas Dinner”, and an inspirational message composed by Doug in “Gift to the Children” featuring his son, Alex.
Doug Cameron’s exciting Music Book Series is now available! Learn jazz, rock, blues, Celtic and country styles all with this series!
Download Doug Cameron’s Music Book Series (pdf) for more information.
Go to Doug Cameron’s Shop to purchase now!
“If you know of the dozen or so composers that have borrowed the tune-Brahms to Rachmaninoff to Tchiakowsky-you could only think, “Why not? Everyone else has.” Cameron made it swing fast with a great riff in the orchestra while he found some interesting spaces to improvise on the melody.” – David Williams, Charleston Gazette
Doug will be performing two nights with The West Virginia Symphony. The concert will be taking place in the beautiful new Maier Performing Arts Center.
