The Los Angeles Jazz Society (LAJS) – hailed for promoting and perpetuating the American art form jazz – continues its vital outreach efforts with its acclaimed music education program “Jazz In Schools,†a series of 90 in-class concerts, featuring a cadre of stellar jazz artists, reaching some 26,000 LAUSD students at 45 public elementary schools in just 18 days during February, Black History Month.
Now in its 23rd year, it is the most extensive in-school jazz program of its kind in Southern California. Three jazz combos will be featured this year, led by Washington Rucker, drums, pianist Delbert Taylor and saxophonist Charles Owens. They will be joined by such well-known jazz artists/educators as Maria Montez, drums; Larry Hartley piano; Kristen Korb bass; and Latin Jazz stalwart, Bobby Rodriguez, trumpet.
“No other organization in Southern California is providing a jazz education program at this level in our schools,†states LAJS President Flip Manne, who notes they are presenting an average of five in-school jazz concerts a day during February. “We are making a tremendous impact and have enriched the lives of more than 460,000 elementary school children since we launched ‘Jazz in Schools’ more than two decades ago. In addition, these extremely well received concerts offer many of our local jazz artists a very special venue in which to perform – the classroom – as well as vital financial support, since all of our artists are paid for their appearances.†The Los Angeles Jazz Society, a non-profit organization founded in 1985, underwrites the entire cost of “Jazz In Schools,†which this year will run $58,000.
The purpose of the program is to introduce young students to jazz and, through the concert and specially developed curriculum, help them understand the important contribution made to American culture by African Americans. During the concert, students learn about jazz instruments and see a demonstration of how musicians relate to each other in the improvisational style of jazz. They are also exposed to different styles of jazz, hear how they developed historically and learn how they relate to contemporary pop music. Additionally, students learn that jazz provides equal opportunities for women and people of all races, and students are also encouraged to consider studying a musical instrument. For many, it is their first experience hearing live jazz or any live musical performance.
To help prepare students for the performance, prior to the concert, schools receive a curriculum package consisting of a teaching outline on jazz history and a CD representing the artists and music presented in the outline.
Jazz in Schools is funded, in part, by grants from the Herb Alpert Foundation, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the Recording Industries’ Music Performance Trust Fund.
The Los Angeles Jazz Society, created by a group of musicians and jazz lovers committed to elevating the image of jazz and jazz artists who recognized that the future of jazz rests in the hands of young musicians and jazz lovers, focuses its resources on jazz education. The organization offers four outreach programs with wide ranging impact. In addition to “Jazz In Schools,†the Jazz Society presents the “Bill Green Mentorship Program,†in which selected public school students receive extensive training in advanced jazz techniques from professional musicians capped by a professional recording session. “Jazz CoolCats†is LAJS’s 10-week after-school jazz education class for elementary school children; and “JazzGiving†is a program created by LAJS that provides donated musical instruments to schools. The youth programs are designed to identify and nurture emerging jazz musicians and help to create future audiences by stimulating an appreciation for jazz.
Los Angeles Jazz Society is also deeply supportive of professional artists, presenting the highly regarded “Vibe Summit,†a day-long celebration featuring some of the nation’s leading vibraphonists, and the “Jazz Tribute Awards Dinner and Concert,†an annual fundraiser at which legends in the field are recognized. Past honorees include Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Horace Silver, Buddy Collette, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter, Ray Brown, Harry “Sweets†Edison, Harold Land, Poncho Sanchez, Dee Dee Bridgewater and John Clayton, among others. These various programs and events have earned Los Angeles Jazz Society recognition across the country as a leader in preserving and promoting jazz.
For information on joining the Los Angeles Jazz Society or to make a donation toward its educational outreach efforts, please visit www.lajazzsociety.org or call 818.994.JAZZ.
