If you've ever wondered what our motto, "Let's Make A Difference!" looks like, check out the faces of 2800 kids at Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center experiencing the thrill of big band jazz and learning about this uniquely American art form from Jazz Outreach Initiative's Jazz Vegas Orchestra!
Through our exceptional partnership with the education department at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz Outreach Initiative was able to teach thousands of students "What is Jazz?", one of our Jazz for Young People programs licensed to JOI by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Jazz for Young People concerts are scripted narrated lessons about jazz luminaries accompanied by their music. The orchestra performed two shows each hosting 1,400 students bussed in from across Clark County School District at ZERO cost to schools or students! Each performance was emceed by Nathan Tannanbaum and narrated by JOI Co-Founder and V.P. Education & Programming, Gary Cordell. Iconic Grammy® nominated singer/songwriter, Clint Holmes joined as vocalist.
Jazz for Young People has been a part of Jazz Outreach Initiative's core educational programs for the city's youth since our early days nearly 8 years ago. Previously, the JOI Jazz Sextet was sent into area middle and high schools to teach subjects such as "Who is Miles Davis," "Who is Thelonious Monk," etc. The sextet also performed "Miles, Mingus, and Monk" in 2022 at the West Las Vegas Library. It was always our goal to replicate the larger format Jazz for Young People concerts performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis which brings in thousands of kids into the great halls they perform in around the world. So, this was sort of a moon-shot for us to present our full big band with guests and JOI Advisory Board Members, Clint Holmes and Nathan Tannenbaum (who not only emceed, but also played his flute!).
Feedback from teachers, The Smith Center staff, and others was extremely positive, and the band were thrilled as well to perform this music in such as prestigious and beautiful venue as Reynolds Hall! Teachers like Marisa Davidson of Canarelli Middle School wrote, "I am writing this email with gratitude in regard to JOI's "What is Jazz?" concert my early bird jazz band students and I attended yesterday. This was such a cool way for my students to hear what they've been learning and playing in class. I loved how organized this whole event was and how engaging it was for my students. My students were so hyped to play their instruments in class today and raved about their field trip."
Jazz Outreach Initiative would like to thank our friends Melanie Jupp, Candy Schneider, and everyone at The Smith Center, all the members of the Jazz Vegas Orchestra who worked hard to learn this scripted show, and especially founders Kenny Rampton and Gary Cordell who spent countless hours planning, scripting, and coordinating all aspects of this monumental effort flawlessly. JOI and The Smith Center plan to do more of these presentations, including a third presentation of this show to be announced soon benefitting a sensory inclusive audience.
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