Jackson Free Press

IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN "JAZZ IN AMERICA" EDUCATION PROGRAMS. With generous support from Northrop Grumman and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, a non-profit educational organization, will introduce its Jazz in America: The National Jazz Curriculum to thousands of public school students in Mississippi. Jazz in America (www.jazzinamerica.org) is the Institute's Internet-based jazz curriculum that is being made available to all 5th, 8th, and 11th grade public school students in the United States. It is the first jazz curriculum to use state-of-the-art Internet technology

As part of Black History Month festivities, the tour will consist of a series of jazz assembly
programs, jazz band clinics, and teacher training workshops. Each assembly program will
feature a five-piece jazz combo, led by internationally renowned saxophonist Bobby Watson,
a presentation called "What is Jazz?" by J.B. Dyas, Curriculum Project Director, and a
question-and-answer session with students. In addition, jazz drummer Thelonious Monk, Jr.,
Chairman of the Institute's Board of Directors, will make remarks about jazz and its role as
America's greatest musical contribution to the world.
Members of the press are invited to attend any of the following events:
Monday, February 7: Callaway High School, 601 Beasley Road, Jackson
9:30-10:30am: Assembly Program for 1,000 students in the auditorium
10:45-11:45am: Jazz Band Clinic in auditorium
1:00-2:00pm: Assembly Program for music students from Northwest, Chastain, and
Siwell Road middle schools
Tuesday, February 8: Jim Hill High School, 2185 Fortune Street, Jackson
9:15-10:00am: Assembly Program for 800 students in auditorium
10:15-11:15am: Jazz Band Clinic in band hall
Wednesday, February 9: Gulfport High School, 100 Perry Street, Gulfport
9:15-10:15am: Assembly Program for 800 students in auditorium
-moreThelonious
Monk Institute Jazz Education Programs in Mississippi – Page Two
Members of the press are invited to attend any of the following events (continued):
Thursday, February 10: Pascagoula / Gautier / Hattiesburg
Pascagoula High School, 1716 Tucker Avenue, Pascagoula
8:30-9:30am: Assembly Program for 1,200 students in gymnasium
10:00-11:00am: Jazz Band Clinic in band hall
Gautier Middle School, 1920 Graveline Road, Gautier
1:15-2:15pm: Assembly Program for 400 middle and high school students
University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
7:30-9:30pm: Concert in Bennett Auditorium during All-South Honor Jazz Band Clinic
Friday, February 11: Hattiesburg High School, 301 Hutchinson Avenue, Hattiesburg
8:30-9:30am: Jazz Band Clinic in band hall
About the Curriculum
The Jazz in America curriculum (www.jazzinamerica.org) presents an introduction to jazz as it evolved in
America and spread throughout the world. It defines the characteristics of jazz, explains how to listen to the
music, details the many styles of jazz, and highlights some of the musicians who have advanced the art form.
The curriculum also focuses on the development of jazz in America by highlighting the major cities that
influenced the music. Further, each lesson plan explores the social, economic, and political contexts within
which jazz evolved. In addition to the lesson plans, the curriculum website includes a teacher's manual,
assessments, and a comprehensive Jazz Resource Library.
About the Musicians
The tour will be headlined by internationally renowned saxophonist and recording artist Bobby Watson
(www.bobbywatson.com), who rose to prominence as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and will
feature vocalist Lisa Henry, a winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition. The
members of the rhythm section are Derek Nievergelt, bass; Otis Brown III, drums; and Richard Johnson, piano.
Brown attended the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Colony in Aspen, Colorado in the summer of 1999.
Nievergelt and Johnson are 1999 graduates of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at the
University of Southern California, a specialized graduate level college program that enables the world's most
gifted young musicians to study tuition-free with the greatest living jazz legends including Herbie Hancock,
Wayne Shorter, and Clark Terry.
About the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz
The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (www.monkinstitute.org) was established in 1986 with a mission to
preserve America's legacy of jazz through performance and education. The Institute offers the world's most
promising young musicians college level training by America's jazz masters and presents public school-based
jazz education programs for young people around the world. Additionally, the Institute provides scholarships,
performance opportunities, and worldwide recognition to gifted young musicians through its many other jazz
education programs.