Jazz for Kids: Assembly

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Preschool Assembly Program with the John Blake Jazz Quartet

John Blake brings his program about the origins of the great American art form of jazz to the very youngest audiences. Children participate in this program in ways such as singing along, marching and clapping to the beat, and joining in call-and-response songs. John focuses on jazz arrangements of familiar children’s, cartoon and movie tunes, such as the Flinstones and Itsy Bitsy Spider, as well as the standard works of great jazz composers in this lively, joyous program. Children hear the names of some of the greatest figures in jazz—Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and others. John always leaves time for questions and answers at the end of the presentation.

Through this interactive approach, preschoolers get a glimpse of the roots of jazz. They are introduced to the basic elements of music—rhythm, melody and harmony—as interpreted through the jazz idiom. The program format offers students opportunities to move to the music, helping to fully engage their attention.

This assembly program is a celebration of African American culture that awakens a sense of cultural and historical awareness even in very young children. John is joined by the other members of his regular quartet, including Dave Posmontier, Tyrone Brown, and Leon Jordan.

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