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| WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM's award-winning, free Kids Jazz Concert Series, which brings jazz culture and dynamic performances to young people in the Spring and Fall, returns in its 20th season with performances at five New Jersey venues on Saturdays in October and the first Saturday of November. The hour-long concerts, which begin at 12:30 pm, feature The Firey String Sistas! at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on October 5; Courtney Bryan Ensemble featuring Brandee Younger, at Montclair Art Museum, October 12; New York Voices, Newark Museum, October 19; Ignacio Berroa, Newark Symphony Hall, October 26; and Victor Jones Orchestrio, Clinton Elementary School in Maplewood, November 2. The series presents top jazz and blues artists who produce programs tailor-made for young people, leaving time for further exploration of the music through Q&A sessions with the artists. The interactive programs give kids opportunities to learn about the distinct qualities of jazz, and why it is a reflection of the community, nation, and world. In addition to the music, the events include door prizes, a gift for each child and a fun-filled afternoon with other jazz lovers. Transportation assistance is available for organizations working with youth in Essex County, thanks to the generous support of The Agnes Varis Trust, which supports affordable access to the arts, education and healthcare. WBGO recognizes that some parents are not able to bring their children to concerts, even free ones, and groups that work with families on weekends cannot always afford buses. WBGO's Transportation Fund aims to alleviate this barrier by giving groups funding to rent buses and provide a day of cultural enrichment for more kids. For additional information on transportation, e-mail kids@wbgo.org or call (973) 624-8880, extension 248. The 2013 Fall Kids Jazz Concert Series features: Saturday, October 5 – 12:30 pm The Firey String Sistas! Chamber Jazz Classics South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) One SOPAC Way South Orange, NJ 07079 (973) 275-1114 / www.sopacnow.org Part of Endless Arts October This six-piece ensemble will take children on a journey through the history and legacy of African-American and urban culture. The program includes swinging and singing with the Duke's song, "It Don't Mean A Thing, " and discovering rhythms with "Jitter-bug Waltz" by Fats Waller. Interactive in nature, audiences participate by singing and clapping along while introduced to music fundamentals such as time, rhythm, melody and aspects of string instruments. Saturday, October 12 – 12:30 pm Courtney Bryan Ensemble featuring Brandee Younger Spirituals and the Roots of Jazz Montclair Art Museum 3 S. Mountain Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 746-5555 / www.montclair-art.com Part of Endless Arts October The ensemble leads an educational sing-along of Negro Spirituals for the children and through musical examples will demonstrate the historical ties between the spirituals and jazz. Saturday, October 19 – 12:30 pm New York Voices An Introduction to Vocalese: Jazz Vocals with Ease Newark Museum 49 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 596-6550 / www.newarkmuseum.org Part of Endless Arts October This premier vocal ensemble has been singing tight four-part harmony for 25 years. They will focus on the art of Vocalese (singing a witty story with lyrics to an improvised jazz solo) in this special debut program. Children will hear songs such as "Cottontail, " "Sing, Sing, Sing" "Caravan" and more. They will engage audiences of all ages with their infectious passion for interesting melodies, diverse rhythms and sophisticated harmony. Saturday, October 26 – 12:30 pm Ignacio Berroa Afro Cuban Jazz Newark Symphony Hall 1020 Broad Street Newark, NJ (973) 643-8014 / www.newarksymphonyhall.org Part of Endless Arts October Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie referred to Berroa as, "the only Latin drummer in the world, in the history of American music that intimately knows both worlds – his native Afro-Cuban music as well as Jazz." Berroa will take children on a musical journey exploring the mix of Afro Cuban rhythms with Jazz by way of the drum set. Saturday, November 2 – 12:30 pm Victor Jones Orchestrio Jazz on an American Instrument Clinton Elementary School 27 Berkshire Road Maplewood. NJ 07040 (973) 378-7686 / www.somsd.k12.nj.us/clinton Using the African-American tradition of call and response, children will participate in this interactive and fun performance learning about the history of drums in jazz and American music with Newark native Victor Jones and his Orchestrio. Children will have the opportunity to get on stage and play the drums, or their own instrument if they bring one. Rounding out the trio is Dylan Meek on piano, Alex Blake on string bass and vocalist Taiko. Families should plan to arrive at noon to ensure seating. Tickets are distributed in the lobby of each venue on the day of performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Adults must be accompanied by a child. The WBGO 88.3 FM Kids Jazz Concert Series is sponsored by The Agnes Varis Trust, PNC Foundation, Turrell Fund, Investor's Bank, The Clarence B. Coleman and Joan F. Coleman Charitable Foundation, Margo Moss, NJPAC Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens, and New Jersey State Council on the Arts. write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Jazz News :: home page |