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I don't suppose that every person who is into music will want to be a jazz musician because it is probably the hardest thing to do in the world.
- Sathima Bea Benjamin |
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 Thursday, 08 January 2009 |
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Week-Long Jazz Education Events Conclude with Concerts at the Dakota |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Friday, 03 March 2006 |
 Lisa Henry
The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in collaboration with the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education, and the Children's Music and Arts Foundation will introduce "Peer-to-Peer" jazz education programs in five Twin Cities public schools, March 6-10, 2006. These "informances" will be presented by six exceptionally gifted jazz students from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, along with saxophone recording artist Bobby Watson and vocal sensation Lisa Henry. Each visit will include a concert for the student bodies followed by a jazz workshop for each school's jazz band with the L.A. students playing alongside and sharing ideas with their Minneapolis/St. Paul peers.
"As young people are so influenced by kids their own age, who better to expose them to this great American art form than those of their own generation?" said Thelonious Monk, Jr., the Monk Institute's Chairman. "And with Bobby Watson and Lisa Henry - two of the most exciting jazz performers on the scene today - in the mix, it's truly an extraordinary opportunity for evryone concerned: students, teachers, musicians, non-musicians - everybody."
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 Los Angeles County High Sextet
Besides playing jazz at a level that belies their years, the L.A. students will talk with their Twin Cities peers about what jazz is, why it's important to America, and how a jazz ensemble represents a perfect democracy. The week will conclude with two performances open to the public on March 10 and 11 at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant. Audiences are invited to enjoy an evening of music with jazz's future "young lions" alongside the world-renowned Watson and Henry
The school "informances" are a component of the Monk Institute's Jazz in America outreach initiative which includes the National Jazz Curriculum website ( www.jazzinamerica.org ). This internet-based curriculum is available to all 5th, 8th, and 11th grade public school students in the United States. Designed to be a regular part of each grade's social studies or American history classes, it is the first jazz curriculum to use state-of-the-art Internet technology offered free of charge on a national basis.
ABOUT THE Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education
The Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education, (also called the J-Train) is a non-profit organization sponsored by the Minneapolis-based Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant dedicated to bringing jazz and education together. Originated by Dakota co-owner's Richard Erickson and Lowell Pickett, and jazz lover the late Jane Matteson in 1997, the Dakota Foundation provides free concert performances by young musicians at the Dakota on designated Saturday and Sunday afternoons to encourage an understanding, appreciation, and enthusiasm for jazz among young audiences and blooming musicians. Other programs include seminars ("jazz dialogues") given by some of the world's most eminent jazz artists, an annual jazz piano competition (co-sponsored with the St. Paul based Schubert Club), jazz camp scholarships, outreach programs presented in Minneapolis and St. Paul schools, and the presentation of the annual "Jane Award" to an individual who has had a significant impact on the lives of young musicians.
About the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz
The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (www.monkinstitute.org) is a non-profit education organization established in memory of Thelonious Monk, the legendary jazz pianist and composer. Monk was a mentor to many younger musicians in the jazz community. The Institute follows his example by bringing together the greatest living jazz artists to teach and inspire young people. It offers the most promising young musicians college level training by America's jazz masters and presents public school-based jazz education programs worldwide. Helping to fill the tremendous void in arts education left by severe budget cuts in public school funding, the Institute's education programs are free to the public and use jazz as the medium to encourage imaginative thinking, creativity, a positive self-image, and respect for one's own and others' cultural heritage.
 Bobby Watson
Lisa Henry is an engaging vocalist with a combination of swingin' cool and down home class. A Kansas City native, she began singing in the Baptist Church, and by age 12 was singing the music of Billie Holiday and Miles Davis. Henry was a winner of the 1994 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition and named an International Jazz Ambassador to Africa. She toured Chile, Argentina, and Peru with the Institute in 1998, performing for 34 Heads of State at the Summit of the Americas. Henry has performed around the world, sharing the stage with Kenny Barron, Kenny Garrett, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Kevin Mahogany, and T.S. Monk. Her recent recording, Live from 18th and Vine, has received critical acclaim. Henry serves as Executive Director of the Charlie Parker Institute.
 JB Dyas
About the Los Angeles High School for the Arts
Located on the campus of California State University L.A., the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts is a tuition-free, fully accredited public high school that offers specialized instruction in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts in addition to a rigorous academic curriculum. Its students have received national recognition as Presidential Scholars in the Arts, finalists in the National Arts Recognition and Talent Search, winners of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County's Spotlight Awards, and participants in the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble. With 550 students in grades 9-12, LACHSA was named a California Distinguished School for Academic Excellence and earned a score of 10 out of 10 on the Academic Performance Index.
Education Program: Six students from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts with saxophone recording artist Bobby Watson and vocal sensation Lisa Henry will offer concerts and workshops at five Twin Cities public schools, presented by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in collaboration with the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education, and the Childrenšs Music and Arts Foundation. March 6-10, 2006 in five high schools.
- Harding Senior High - St. Paul, MN
- Central Senior High St. Pau, MN
- St. Frances High School St. Frances, MN
- Patrick Henry Senior High Minneapolis, MN
- Thomas Jefferson High School ‹ Bloomington, MN
Concerts: Bobby Watson, Lisa Henry, and the sextet from Los Angeles County High school for the Arts will perform two concerts open to the public at The Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, MN.
- Friday, March 10 at 7:00 P.M. & 9:00 P.M.
- Saturday, March 11 at 7:00 P.M. & 9:00 P.M.
Tickets are $10. For more information visit www.dakotacooks.com or call the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, (612) 332-1010.
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