Background

The Jazz Academy of Music is a manifestation of a longtime dream of Paul Carr, its Music Director, to extend the music education opportunities afforded him, as an inner city youth, to others. Paul was inspired and taught by musicians who themselves were accomplished professional musicians. These musicians included the late Arnett Cobb, Conrad Johnson, Horace Young III, Bubba Thomas and other area musicians. Programs such as the “Summer Jazz Workshop,” and the music programs in school imparted extraordinary discipline, a sense of healthy competitiveness and teamwork, and nurtured his creativity, leading to a successful adult life as a teacher and musician.

The Jazz Academy programs draw from and build upon the disciplines of music education Paul experienced in his youth. The main tenet of the Academy is that music is taught by accomplished, practicing professional musicians with a passionate drive to preserve the art of music, with a special emphasis on Jazz music.

The mission of the Academy is to preserve Jazz music through education. The Jazz Academy makes available, instructional opportunities to children and adults who have an interest in developing their, talent and knowledge about music. While the emphasis is on the Jazz genre, the Academy offers instruction for beginners who are just being introduced to the art form.

Students of the Academy are exposed to all forms of Jazz including:

• The New Orleans style of the 1920’s espoused by Louis Armstrong;
• The swing style of the 1930’s advanced by big band leaders Glenn Miler and Duke Ellington;
• The bebop style introduced by Charlie Parker in the 1940’s;
• The cool jazz sounds of the late 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s played by great musicians like Miles Davis and John Coltrane;
• The fusion trends of the present day.

Jazz and its improvisational techniques represent the first truly American musical art form. Jazz is the foundation for many other forms of musical expression including, rock and R&B. Classical, calypso and other musical art forms originating from around the world influence many Jazz music selections. Recent studies also suggest that those who are exposed to music tend to be more successful and creative than those who have not had the benefit of music in their lives. In alignment with our mission we partner with various organizations. Our community partner is Arts & Education In Concert (AE!C). AE!C works together with our youth to stop drug abuse and violence. AE!C provides students with the opportunity to express their drug free determination through arts. To learn more about AE!C click on the picture above.