FROM THE [home desk] OF OUR PRESiDENT & FOUNDER
Dear friends and families,
Welcome to this week’s On the Sunny Side of the Street Vol. 8! Here’s where we take an exciting look at what we’ve been doing to help our community stay connected, creative and uplifted. There is nothing like a lovely spring to make you feel better!
Did you hear the BIG NEWS? Last week, we announced the JAZZ HOUSE KiDS Relief Fund and Benefit Concert kicking off on Friday, June 19. (yes, we picked Freedom Day to host this very special event..we hope you’ll join us.)
When the world stopped, I think you will agree that the JAZZ HOUSE didn’t miss a beat. Students, alumni, families, faculty and fans were able to turn to the JAZZ HOUSE to make music and find community, opportunity, continuity, and support. Still, the community that all of us at the JAZZ HOUSE have worked so hard to build these past 18 years is in real peril as we face down the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effects.
To kick-off the JAZZ HOUSE KiDS Relief Fund and Benefit Concert we aptly titled Playing Through the Changes, promises to be an inspiring evening we all need. A showcase of young talent, rare archival footage and special live appearances from jazz luminaries, I am particularly excited and moved by the evening’s debut performance of the JAZZ HOUSE Alumni Super Band under the direction of Nathan Eklund — 81 JAZZ HOUSE graduates have come together musically to support the HOUSE they once called HOME!
I wanted to personally invite you to tune in on June 19th at 7:30 PM ET and be part of the chorus of voices to help JAZZ HOUSE KiDS play through the changes.
Gifts of all sizes will make a difference to ensure that the doors to the JAZZ HOUSE keep swinging open. THANK YOU to our many friends who contributed since the announcement was made.
RSVP here and let us know you’ll be watching JAZZ HOUSE KiDS PLAYING THROUGH THE CHANGES BENEFIT CONCERT! We’ll send you a complimentary JAZZ HOUSE Hang @ Home Friday Night Listening Party Playlist to wash away the blues with jazz.
JAZZ HOUSE SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
We’ve gotten a tremendous positive response about our new online summer programming — Jazz in June and Jazz in July. There’s something for everybody, and if you haven’t signed up yet, our “doors” are officially open to enroll in our Online Summer Program — more than 100 hours of playing and learning!
Here’s one we’re really excited about — instructor Lee Hogans is leading a brand new class on Production + Recording. Offered on Thursdays as part of our JAZZ IN JUNE programming and part of the daily curriculum at our more comprehensive JAZZ IN JULY, no experience in jazz or instrument play is necessary.
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NEW CLASS FOR SUMMER! PRODUCTiON + RECORDiNG with LEE HOGANS
2020 SUMMER PROGRAMMING!
CALLING ALL INSTRUMENTAL + VOCAL STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE! TWO BRAND-NEW exciting online summer programs:
- JAZZ IN JUNE (June 1 – 25, 2020)
- INDIVIDUAL CLASSES MONDAYS – THURSDAYS
- All classes held 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm ET
- Write your first tune! Get your repertoire together! Each workshop session is designed to give students a jump in their musicianship on and off the bandstand. All classes run once a week for four weeks from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm ET.
- JAZZ IN JULY (July 13 – August 7, 2020)
- MONDAYS – THURSDAYS + SPECIAL PROGRAMS ON FRIDAYS
- Morning or Afternoon Sessions
- Each day comprises of an in-depth musical focus giving students a deep dive into the technical aspects of their instrument, a chance to sharpen their improvisational tools, develop as a composer, and participate in a virtual big band.
- Highlights include a noon-time masterclass with CHRISTIAN McBRIDE, special guest artists, live-streamed concerts, and a weekly history/culture class.
- ADULT SUMMER CLASSES (June 8 – July 30, 2020)
- INDIVIDUAL CLASSES MONDAYS – THURSDAYS
- All classes run 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM for eight weeks.
For more information on our summer programming, reach out to our student services manager, Daniela Gonzalez.
TUESDAYS @ NOON: LUNCHTIME LIVE
Connect with us every Tuesday at noon for our new JAZZ HOUSE Lunchtime LIVE! Each week we will feature one of our talented teaching artists, friends or alums in performance live on the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Facebook page. The talented BRANDON McCUNE was our featured artist this week. It was a family afffair — Brandon treated us to a 45-minute set playing piano, keyboard, organ and drums and was accompanied on drums by his son MECADON, a former JAZZ HOUSE KiDS student, and even brought in his daughters for a little scatting.
Coming up next on May 26th at noon ET is one of our talented alums, pianist CAELAN CARDELLO, recipient of the James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey Award and is currently a student at William Paterson University. Last week he was featured on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Instagram as part of a series of outstanding jazz pianists. His accolades include being a National Young Arts winner, a member of the NJ Region I Senior Jazz Band and the NJ All State Jazz Band, and a Grammy Band Finalist (2016 and 2017). His Caelan Cardello trio was featured at the 2017 Berkshire Jazz Festival Jazz Prodigy series.
Grab a sandwich or salad and enjoy some great jazz this Tuesday!
FRIDAY NIGHT LISTENING PARTIES: HANG @ HOME
YOU CAN HELP JAZZ HOUSE KiDS PLAY THROUGH THE CHANGES. JOiN JAZZ HOUSE KiDS tonight for our Friday Night Listening Party!
Date: Friday, May 22, 2020
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Zoom “Doors” Open: 7:45 pm
Where: Sign up on Zoom or join us on Facebook LIVE
THE PIANO PANEL: A night of the 88’s
Our favorite bassist CHRISTIAN McBRIDE leads a panel of piano masters who will do a deep dive on their favorite musicians to tickle the ivories. They’ll share their favorite recording, relay personal stories and discuss who did it best. Christian will do his best to keep the discourse civil. See you there and bring your favorite beverage!
FEATURING: GEORGE CABLES * RENEE ROSNES * AARON DIEHL
TWO WAYS TO JOiN THE PARTY!
VIA ZOOM:
The first 100 folks to sign up on ZOOM will participate directly with the hosts and panelists. Register in advance! ZOOM LINK. Please add your name + city when you register, so Christian can call you out during the Q&A. You’ll get a confirmation by email and we’ll see you at the party! ZOOM Doors open Friday, May 8 at 7:45 pm; Showtime 8:00 pm ET
VIA FACEBOOK:
Hop onto Facebook Live
Share your comments with our listening audience
DONATE TODAY!
Throughout the evening you’ll have an opportunity to add to our virtual “Tip Jar.”
Any donation, no matter how big or small can make a difference to support and the continuation of this very special organization that is having an impact on the global stage and in the lives of young people each and every day of the week.
Your gift = Double impact!
Your voice can be amplified and help JAZZ HOUSE KIDS bridge the gap in lost funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the HERB ALPERT FOUNDATION, every dollar you donate will be matched up to $100,000! Here’s how to help:
- Venmo @jazzhousekids
- On our website
- Go Fund Me
100% Proceeds to Benefit JAZZ HOUSE KiDS. Help us provide direct support for our families hardest hit by the pandemic and to provide online gigs and teaching opportunities for our awesome faculty. If you’re in a position to help, we could really use your support right now to help keep the JAZZ HOUSE swingin’!
LAST WEEK’S LISTENiNG PARTY!
Many thanks to our fabulous panel for our Vocal III Hang @ Home Listening Party with our fabulous special guests, Dianne Reeves, Carmen Lundy and Veronica Swift. Hosted by our own star vocalist, Melissa Walker, more than 10,000 people were reached. Thanks for hanging with us!
Check out last Friday’s playlist Or watch it again! Enjoy!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
MAY
Friday, May 22 @ 8:00 pm ET
Hang @ Home Listening Party
PIANO PANEL: A Night of the 88s
ZOOM or FACEBOOK LiVE
Tuesday, May 26 @ 4:00 pm ET
Jazz House Lunchtime Live!
Featuring pianist Caelan Cardello in Concert
Connect with us every Tuesday at noon for our new JAZZ HOUSE Lunchtime LIVE! Each week we will feature one of our talented teaching artists or friends in performance live on the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Facebook page. Grab a sandwich or salad and enjoy some great jazz! Stay tuned on social media for our announcement of our artist next Tuesday.
JUNE + JULY + AUGUST
June 1 – 25
JAZZ IN JUNE!
Registration + Info
Sunday, June 7 @ 1:00 pm
Virtual Spring Semester Concert
End-of-semester showcase featuring all of our JAZZ HOUSE spring ensemble classes. Each group is currently preparing a selection that will be pre-recorded and mixed for the broadcast.
Friday, June 19 @ 7:30pm
Playing Through The Changes Virtual Event
July 13 – August 7
JAZZ IN JULY!
Registration + Info
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SIGNATURE SUPPORTERS!
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- Appaloosa Management Charitable Foundation Inc
- ASCAP Foundation Louis Armstrong Fund
- Coastal Community Foundation of
South Carolina - Cool Wind Ventilation Corp
- Devils Care Foundation
- E.J. Grassmann Trust
- The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
- Holly English and Fred Smagorinsky
- Gia Maione Prima Foundation
- The Hearst Foundation
- The Herb Alpert Foundation
- Hudson Media, Inc.
- Hyde and Watson Foundation
- J.T. Magen & Company
- Susan and Chris Gifford
- Kenneth Goldman Donor Fund
- Manhattan Mechanical Contractors
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- New Jersey State Council on
the Arts - National Endowment for the Arts
- PSEG Foundation
- Ralph Pucci International
- The Peter Kiernan and Eaddo Kiernan Foundation
- Nerissa Radell and Russell Gioiella
- Rita and Terry Woodard
- Mikhail and Sofia Segal
- Janet Shapiro and Phillip Byrd
- Silver Family Foundation
- Sandra Smith
- TD Charitable Foundation
- Turrell Fund
- Verizon Foundation
- The Victoria Foundation
- York Capital Managemen
- and many other generous donors…
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“Jazz stands for freedom. It’s supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don’t be a perfectionist – leave that to the classical musicians.”
~ Dave Brubeck