The New Jazz School at the Isidore Newman School, comprised of 19 students from around New Orleans and led by Donald Harrison Jr., will culminate in a free performance Friday evening.
For details, see the news release issued by the school:
New Jazz School Is Back
Free Jazz Camp for City Kids is Music to Our EarsFree Concert: June 15, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in Henson Auditorium, 5333 Danneel Street
After a year’s hiatus, New Orleans public and private school students once again have the opportunity to study jazz under the direction of renowned jazz master, Donald Harrison, Jr., thanks to an incredible partnership between Isidore Newman School, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Iberia Bank, and the Surdna Foundation.
New Jazz School, which is currently being held (June 4 – 15) on Newman’s campus, teaches vocals, brass, woodwind, rhythm, bass, guitar, percussion, and piano to students in 8th through 12th grades. The program is free of charge to the diverse students selected to enroll, thanks to donations from each of the four partners. Students from nineteen schools are taking part in this intensive workshop under the leadership of Harrison, and a faculty of talented musicians including Christian Scott, David Pulphus, Jesse McBride, Detroit Brooks, Joe Dyson, Jr., Conun Pappas, Max Moran, and Tyler Ginsberg. The program will culminate in a free jazz concert on June 15, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the School’s Henson Auditorium.
Media and public are invited to attend.
“Jazz is foremost a musical language, which when spoken by the masters, is one of the greatest achievements in our history,” said Harrison. “I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing program once again.”
New Jazz School is a collaboration between four institutions that are committed to supporting the next generation of New Orleanians and to preserving the city’s culture and heritage. The program draws from the area’s diverse population and creates lasting relationships between students and esteemed musicians.
New Jazz School students learn traditional jazz, swing, bebop, modal jazz, jazz rock, and hip-hop from these contemporary masters. There are classes in harmony, technique, reading, ear training, listening, and ensemble. Students learn what it takes to succeed on a professional level and are shown a career path as musicians in the music industry.
For more information, contact Rebecca Thomason at RebeccaThomason@newmanschool.org or 504-896-6328.
