[Dixielandjazz] Trad Jazz Curriculum Kit for Music Teachers

[Justin Au]

This project has been in the works for a long time by Dave Robinson.  What
it becomes available, this kit will enable school music teachers to teach
students how to perform the different styles of trad jazz.  On a separate
but related note, our local school district here in Sacramento is
partnering with "The Trad Jazz Project", a program funded by the STJS
foundation to send out clinicians to work with the school bands.

JEN receives NEA Grant

News from Dave Robinson TJEN FOUNDER

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa has
announced that Jazz Educators Network is to receive an NEA Art Works grant.
JEN has been awarded a $40,000 grant to support final production and
distribution of the Traditional Jazz Curriculum Kit.

The grant from the NEA must be matched from other funding sources. JEN is
currently seeking support from individuals and foundations to bring the
project to fruition.

The Traditional Jazz Curriculum Project has developed, in prototype form,
the first-ever curriculum package for the teaching of traditional jazz
styles to high school and college students. The Kit will enable music
teachers to teach young people how to perform the New Orleans styles of
jazz and their outgrowths. It contains lesson plans; music arrangements,
transcriptions and lead sheets; a sampler CD; an instructional double-DVD;
a resources guide; a jazz style guide; and a poster. The curriculum has
been successfully piloted across the country, and ties to the National
Standards for Music Education.

While scholastic jazz education programs are widespread, there currently
exists no formalized curriculum for the teaching of New Orleans-derived
styles. The Traditional Jazz Curriculum Project will acquaint students
nationwide with the music of Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Jelly Roll
Morton, Sidney Bechet, Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Bunk Johnson,
George Lewis, Lu Watters, Turk Murphy, Eddie Condon, and later exponents of
traditional styles, including the top traditional jazz artists of today.
The goal of the Project is the national revitalization of traditional jazz
styles through the increased participation of young people.

Mary Jo Papich, JEN Co-founder and Past President, stated, “Dave Robinson,
Project Director, has worked very hard to develop a quality package for
teachers and students.”

Dave Robinson, founder of the Traditional Jazz Educators Network (TJEN),
commented, “Traditional or ‘trad’ jazz isn’t merely an historical footnote;
it is a living, breathing art form that remains exciting and relevant
today, yet it has slipped off the radar screens of many jazz educators.
This project will give today’s educators and students the tools they need
to get involved in this aspect of the music. I’m deeply grateful to the
Endowment for their support of this important national initiative for the
jazz field.”

JEN was formed in 2008 and hosts an annual conference serving the
international jazz community. Visit the Jazz Educators Network at
www.jazzednet.org