THE ALABAMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME (AJHoF) ALL-STARS is a working jazz ensemble, featuring some of the finest jazz musicians Alabama has to offer. This group is the faculty of the Jazz Education Department of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (www.jazzhall.com) and the faculty of the “Fun With Jazz†educational program, originated at the Alys Stephens Center.
This fine ensemble teaches and concertizes throughout the state of Alabama and the southeast. They are in the process of recording their first CD project, featuring standards and original compositions and arrangements by Tommy Stewart and Ray Reach.
THE “FUN WITH JAZZ†PROGRAM
One of the jazz educational programs in which the AJHoF All-Stars participate is the “Fun With Jazz†program, originated by Ray Reach through the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham, Alabama. This is a free educational program that brings the arts to students at their schools, for grades 1-12 and beyond. In these free mini-concerts and lessons, Ray Reach and the AJHoF All-Stars will come to a school or organization and introduce students to the exciting world of jazz music through a combination of live music and interactive lessons. With the help of one to six accompanying musicians, Reach demonstrates the unique qualities that make jazz a truly American art form.
A school can bring in the first program only, or sign up for all of them. The program can be tailored for individual schools' or organizations' special needs. For reservations call Ray Reach, Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, at 205-960-6328 or [email protected]. Some examples of the programs are:
1) Fun With Jazz: In this class Reach will discuss the history of jazz, improvisation, the instruments played, famous musicians and more.
2) Fun With Jazz, The Musicians: Students will learn about the most important musicians in jazz history.
3) Fun With Jazz Today: The students will learn about jazz vocalists, the life of a contemporary jazz musician and what types of music have evolved from jazz music.
4) Workshops on Jazz Styles and Improvisational Techniques: This service is offered to middle school, high school and college jazz bands. Reach and his AJHoF All-Stars will present a one or two day intensive workshop, unlocking the “secrets†to learning how to perform and improvise jazz.
THE SATURDAY JAZZ CLASSES
Every Saturday from 9:00am until 1:00pm, the AJHoF All-Stars teach jazz classes, available free to any resident of the state of Alabama. These free classes are supported by grants from the Jefferson County Cultural Alliance and other sources. In these classes, students learn to read and improvise jazz. The classes are taught on the following schedule:
9:00am to 10:50 - Intermediate class, taught by Dr. Frank Adams. Generally open for students from age 9 to age 13.
10:00am to 12:30pm - Advanced class, taught by Ray Reach. Open to students of mddle school and high school age and beyond.
11:00am to 1:00pm - Beginning class, taught by Dr. Frank Adams. Open to students from age 8 and above.
For further information, or to make reservations, contact Ray Reach at Cellular: 205-960-6328 / Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame: 205-254-2731 / Email: [email protected].
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Leah Tucker - Executive Director, 1631 - 4th Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, Phone: 205-254-2731.
www.jazzhall.com
