Of Note
 

“Globally recognized as America’s music, originating in the great city of New Orleans just a century ago through the African American experience, today jazz is performed and listened to by people of all ethnicities, backgrounds, ages and creeds. Indeed, jazz is considered by many to be America’s greatest artistic gift to the world.

The understanding and appreciation of jazz is integral to understanding and appreciating American history and culture. It’s an outstanding artistic model of individual expression and democratic expression, as well. And there’s probably no better example of democracy than a jazz ensemble: individual freedom, but with responsibility to the group.

It’s essential that we preserve, develop and expand this treasured art form for our future generations by recognizing and elevating the importance of our jazz education programs in every single school across America.”

First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House Music Series, “The Jazz Studio,” on June 15, 2009.



First Lady Michelle Obama’s profound remarks have surely alread inspired countless jazz artists and educators throughout the country. We at the Jazzschool are certainly grateful for this show of support for jazz coming from the top.

What better statement could the First Lady have made regarding the value of jazz education than to give 150 young musicians a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop with major jazz artists at the White House? Not only did she feature jazz in the first of a series of concerts celebrating American music, she “seized the day” by recognizing the importance of those who will go on to carry the torch into the future — our young musicians who are essential for the continued sustenance of the jazz art form.

Each one of the 150 young musicians who took part in this event has friends, potential jazz fans, who were watching and listening, too! It was important to Michelle Obama to give young people, including her own children, the opportunity to listen to a style of music other than what many may choose to listen to these days — and if Michelle Obama values this vital American music, many others are sure to take notice as well.

With thanks and gratitude to the First Lady for her great insight and artistic sensibility, and in the spirit of promoting the jazz art form, the Jazzschool will continue to do its part to support students of all ages by striving to offer them unique education and performance opportunities that will go on transform their lives for years to come

.— Susan Muscarella, Executive Director
 
Message


PASSING THE BATON!
I am pleased to announce that Academic Program Administrator Rob Ewing has been promoted to the position of Director of the Jazzschool Community Music School, overseeing the Jazzschool Adult Music Program and the Jazzschool Young Musicians Program. Passing this baton to Rob enables me to devote my time to running the Jazzschool Institute and fundraising. I am looking forward to this program thriving under Rob’s capable leadership. Congratulations, Rob!

— Susan Muscarella, Executive Director

 

A note from Rob Ewing, Jazzschool Community Music School Director

I did not have that natural fluidity, and was not the type of person who just looks at the scene and through some intuitive process, immediately produces a finished product. I had to build my music very consciously, from the bottom up. My message to musicians who feel the same way is that they should keep at it, building block by block. The ultimate reward might be greater in the end, even if they have to work longer and harder in the process. — Bill Evans

I’ve recently been reading Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings, Peter Pettinger’s biography of the great jazz pianist and was struck by the quote above. Jazz is a complex music, there is so much to learn! Still, in my experience as a practicing musician, it is most rewarding and effective to always return to the basics and focus on the fundamentals of the music, developing good sound and technique at the service of feel, musicality, and expressiveness.

Every quarter the Jazzschool develops and implements a range of new classes and workshops with our wonderful faculty and the spring 2010 quarter is no exception! New classes offered this spring include a jazz trombone class called Swinging with J.J. Johnson, The Music of the Meters, The Music of Weather Report, Jazz Rhythm Section Workout, Vocal Accompaniment, and a variety of new harmonica classes. We’re also offering a long list of new one-day workshops. See our workshops page for more information. Have an idea for a class or workshop you would like to see offered at the Jazzschool in the future? Let me know! Please email rob@jazzschool.com.

Now is time to start making plans for summer camp! The Jazzschool is offering several different programs this summer for young musicians, including the Jazzschool Summer Youth the Program (for grades 7–10), the Girls’ Jazz & Blues Camp, and the High School Jazz Intensive. Please see our Summer Programs page for more information. Registration is now open!