BJA’s “Jazz for Kids” – Bringing Jazz to the Next Generation

Members of “Jazz for Kids,” a program of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance, appeared at Bay-Brook Elementary/Middle School in South Baltimore (Brooklyn) on February 28th. Rhonda Robinson (vocals, flute), Bob Jacobson (sax), Phil Ravita (bass), Greg Small (piano), and Russell Haward (drums) gave two separate short performances, each time for a group of second and third graders. Tunes included “Old MacDonald Had a Band” (swing), “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” (calypso), “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “Blue Monk” with Robinson leading call-and-response scatting with the kids. Jacobson and Ravita also talked a little bit about the tunes and gave some very basic jazz history about its New Orleans roots.

Since 2006, the group has presented these programs at Eubie Blake Cultural Center, Walters Art Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and several Baltimore City public schools. For more information or to book the “Jazz for Kids” program at a school or other venue, contact Bob Jacobson, bobboj@aol.com or 410-415-5199.