I don't remember how I found H. Johnson, but soon I was running home on Saturday nights to sit by the radio and listen to him. H. Johnson has a Jazz Classics radio program that comes on WABE 90.1 from 9PM until 2AM (EST). I would dim the lights, burn some incense, light some candles, and sip red wine. Or I would have coffee and create as I was inspired with watercolors and oil pastels.
H. Johnson takes the time to educate jazz newbies on the music he plays and does a mini concert at midnight spotlighting a particular artist. Listening to H (you can listen online here) allows for a classic experience in the comfort of your own home - no cover charge and comfy chairs with your personal choice of refreshment.
Yeah, sometimes I feel like a spinster cat-lady when I tell my friends I got to get home to sit by the radio, but I enjoy that time so much. I don't have to worry about parking in downtown Atlanta or Little Five Points at night alone. I don't have to worry about a two drink minimum – nor driving while intoxicated. I don't have to wear uncomfortable clothes and high heeled strappy sandals. And I love my Saturday nights with H.
But just for the record – I welcome anyone who wants to just chill to join me by the radio.
I took a look at the Smithsonian's website for ideas on celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month and scanned the section dedicated to suggestions for parents. None of them seemed unreasonable – they were all convenient and relatively inexpensive. But one of them surprised me – take your child to a local night club, laws permitting. What? Okay, maybe they were thinking of your teenage-almost-out-of-the-house child or maybe there are night clubs that I am unaware of that don't serve alcohol. Anyway, that unnerved me somewhat and I got to thinking about my ideal preschool classroom or what I would do for my children.
Instead of taking my child to a night club, I would create a drama or imaginary play center that was equipped for them to make their own kid-driven night club. As a teacher, my preferred age group is 3-4 so I am imagining my jazz curriculum through that lens.
Media: YouTube.com has several free videos of concert clips. Pick the best ones and let them play on a loop (like the video playlist below). In my situation, I would have them playing on my laptop. Those of you more technically savvy can come up with better child-proof ways to manage this. PBS also has wonderful DVDs of concerts that you can be assured are quality and child-friendly. And of course you can set a fun playlist of songs and have it play on your iPod/stereo/shelf system.
Costumes: Anything that children like to dress up in works here – particularly for 3-4 year olds – but take a look at some old photos and set aside some wigs, a Billie Holiday inspired gardenia for the hair, old sequined dresses, and boas for dress up. Don't forget old suit jackets, a porkpie hat, and maybe a bowtie for the fellas. Make it fit for the artists you are introducing or for the posters you use as your décor.
Instruments: Depending on your set up and children's development levels, these can be something plastic or instruments that the child is currently practicing. But I recommend keyboards, strings, and percussion instruments (wind instruments seem fun and the sax is a common jazz axe, but you create a sanitation issue with toys designed for the mouth – don't get so excited that you forget that!).
Ambiance: Your guests need somewhere to sit and there is probably a two drink minimum for the nightclub themed play center so make sure you have a table and chairs along with the necessary kitchen supplies to serve imaginary coffee and juice with the plastic vegetables and that lump of rubber scrambled eggs. Don't forget that your wait staff may need costumes as well – aprons should do along with a notepad to take orders.
Performance: It is ideal to create an area where the audience focuses on the performance at the club. Either make this the place where the instruments are stored or where the media is set up. If you use instruments, the children can do their own set. Otherwise they can enjoy each other and the concert going on by the acclaimed artists you've selected as part of your media.
Décor: You'll need a candle on the table – depending on your children, the battery operated candles or luminaries should work well. If not, there's always the plastic vase with a synthetic flower for a centerpiece. You need posters of Jazz greats or Jazzy art – ideally matching up with the ones from your media selection. And of course, if your children are the ones putting on the shows, you must take photos of them to hang on the walls. If you have the option, go ahead and make the center darker – draw the shades on a nearby window or close off the area in a corner with no windows.
Have fun with it and your children will, too. Don't only observe but play with them as well so that you can educate them where they are most interested.
A lot of picture books about Jazz are rhythmic in prose so these are best read to your children. Many of these titles also have audio components, in some cases along with the book, so use that in conjunction when introducing little ones to Jazz (and poetry).
Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa
- Andrea Davis Pinkney
Jazz
- Walter Dean Myers
Jazz on a Saturday Night
- Leo & Diane Dillon
Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane
- Carole Boston Weatherford
Charlie Parker Played Be Bop
- Christopher Raschka
Bebop Express
- H. L. Panahi
The Jazz Fly
- Matthew Gollub
This Jazz Man
- Karen Ehrhardt
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra
Andy Blackman Hurwitz is an award winning author of a series of children's books called Baby Loves Jazz. He has several other projects but because it's Jazz-oetry Month (Jazz Appreciation Month + National Poetry Month = Jazz-oetry Month) I am focusing here on the board books in the Baby Loves Jazz series. Hurwitz has an extensive background in the music industry and is self-proclaimed the best daddy in the world.
There are CDs that provide supplemental lessons with each book that not only babies will enjoy but they aren't unbearable for adults. The books are available at Amazon.com for purchase. You can sample some of the CDs and preview some of the books from Hurwitz's website.
There are several compilations of music by Jazz greats that are varied interpretations of popular and standard children's songs that can be effective tools for a Jazz curriculum. For example, Ella Fitzgerald started out singing children's songs, and playing her music is an ideal segue to educate children about her contributions to Jazz.
My favorite (second to Ella's Playhouse, of course) is the Baby Loves Jazz series.
Although the posts this month refer to Jazz-oetry Month (Jazz Appreciation Month + National Poetry Month = Jazz-oetry Month), I would be remiss to ignore the similarities of Hip-Hop to Poetry.
I don't like Hip-Hop. It's not an affront to Hip-Hop - I just prefer other styles of music. But as an instructor, future parent, and advocate for children, I cannot ignore Hip-Hop. So, to that end, I recommend two books to enhance the education of Poetry this month for children. They can both be purchased at Amazon.com and have accompanying CDs.
Transition your children from lunch (or whichever previous activity) to naptime to the sounds of accomplished Jazz vocalists and musicians. I'm talking about ballads and love songs and torch songs – not scatting, BeBop, or acid jazz. Check out my suggested playlist below. The albums suggested are generally soothing in their entirety – however, I have also suggested the best tracks.
You probably could find several compliations of Jazz lullabys that are marketed for parents who don't know much about Jazz but many of the ones I find don't have a real Jazz sound or aren't performed by known Jazz artists. Those lullaby compliations may guarantee you tracks with child-safe lyrics but you lose authenticity. I believe you can find all of these on Amazon.com and iTunes.
Jane Monheit: Come Dream with Me
Best Tracks:
Hit the Road to Dreamland
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: Ella and Louis
Best Tracks:
April In Paris
Autumn in New York
Stars Fell on Alabama
Ella Fitzgerald: Love Songs – The Best of the Verve Songbooks
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