Jazz & Democracy At PS4

Musicians from The Jazz & Democracy Project visited PS4 to perform for 4th and 5th grade students.

Hosted by Mr. Means (Music Teacher) and Mr. Cantu (Dean/ESL Teacher) students in grades 4 and 5 recently enjoyed a performance by a group of talented musicians from The Jazz & Democracy Project!  Their Jazz for Young People Concert Series allowed students to answer questions about where jazz began, details about woodwind instruments, and about the form or patterns that "blues" music follows.  Mr. Means was very proud of our students.  "I was so proud", he said.  "It was wonderful to see our students make the connection between jazz music and what we must do for a successful democracy".

Mr. Means speaks to students about the history of jazz music.

Mr. Cantu speaks to students about the connection between jazz, democracy and pride.

The Jazz and Democracy Project at PS4 is organized by Mr. Cantu who serves as our Arts Liaison.  The project helps the scholars make connections between democracy and jazz in a historical perspective.  It is a music integrated curriculum that utilizes jazz as a metaphor to bring American democracy to life, enrich the study and teaching of U.S. history, government, civics and culture, and inspire youth to become active, positive contributors to their communities.

For more information about the Jazz and Democracy project at PS4, contact Mr. Cantu. 

5th Graders Attend Latin Jazz Workshop

Students from Class 502 play the Conga Drums after learning about the history of Latin Jazz.

 
Chris Washburne and percussionist Oreste Abrantes played music and discussed Latin Jazz at a recent workshop that was given to 5th grade students.  This was one of the many ways that PS4 celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.  But, what students really enjoyed was playing the instruments that the Professor of Music and Director of a jazz program at Columbia University brought to our school.

During this workshop, students learned about the history of Latin Jazz.  They were told about the origin of instruments like the clave, conga drum and cow bell.  These instruments were brought to Caribbean islands by African slaves.  Students were able to take notes and ask questions.  "Music is a very important subject to learn in school", said Mr. Washburne as he answered one of many great questions that PS4 students asked.  "It teaches you how to work together and how to improvise".

Special thanks to Jonathon Greenburg at Community Works for supporting music education in our school.  All 5th graders have been invited to attend a performance funded by this great organization on October 29th at Hostos Community College.  Chris Washburne and his band will be performing!  Take a look at the slide show below for some highlights from the workshop in the PS4 auditorium and click here to read more about Mr. Washburne!

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Special Thanks to the Jazz Foundation

At a recent performance, PS4 presented The Jazz Foundation (represented by Will Glass) with a token of appreciation for the many legends in jazz that have come to the school.  "Thank you for keeping music in our school", said Ms. Lennon. "We appreciate all that you have done".

Take a look at our thank you card to the foundation below, to see photos and a video!

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Jazz at PS4 - Black History

The Agness Varis Jazz and Blues in the Schools Program preserves the legacy of jazz and blues y introducing this music to thousands of public school children, many of whom have never been exposed to it.  At the same time, it is actually preserving hundreds of the very pioneers who created it!  We are very thankful to the Jazz Foundation of America for sending legendary jazz musicians to our auditorium each month.

Recently, we were honored to hear from the Annette St. John Trio!  The band featured Vinnie Ruggieri on piano, Earl Sauls on bass and John Cooksey on drums.  Band members even took the time to answer questions from an audience of more than two hundred 3rd and 4th graders!  Brianna S. (401) really enjoyed seeing John Cooksey and wanted to know if he grew up playing the drums.  John replied, "When I was 8, I watched a show called the Little Rascals!  One of the characters played the drums and I wanted to do that".  Mr. Cooksey has been playing the drums for more than 50 years!

Special thanks to Will Glass from the Jazz Foundation for organizing all of the visits by these great artists!  Take a look at some photos from our two most recent jazz assemblies.

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The Green Machine - Jazz at PS4

Jazz vocalist, Pam Cornelius, singing with a 4th grade student.

Once again, PS4 students paid homage to their namesake, the great jazz composer Duke Ellington, by featuring professional jazz musicians in our schools auditorium!  At a recent assembly, we heard from Arthur Green and his quartet which he calls 'The Green Machine'!  With Arthur Green on tenor saxophone, Robert Anderson on piano, Larry Preston on drums and vocalist Pamela Cornelius, staff members, teachers and students from 4th and 5th grade heard jazz standards with an R&B style.  The lead vocalist even brought two students on stage to perform with her!  Click here to see the video clip of Nathalie M. (Class 401) singing with Ms. Pam!

Special thanks to the Jazz Foundation of America and Coordinator Will Glass for providing us with legendary musicians through their Jazz in the Schools Program that preserves the legacy of jazz and blues by introducing this music to thousands of school children.  Click here for more information about what the Jazz Foundation does.