How did jazz grow-up?

Take a journey through the different generations of jazz by experiencing it LIVE!!!

American Jazz Experience is intended for audiences of all ages and is particularly engaging as a school assembly for grades K-12.  Developed and presented by Columbus Jazz Orchestra trombonist Jim Masters, the American Jazz Experience quintet features some of Columbus’ finest jazz artists.

This program is interactive as the American Jazz Experience plays notable examples from several styles of jazz, including spirituals, ragtime, blues and bebop.  Students learn each style’s importance and place in history and all participate in call and response, how to scat sing, and even how to dance the Charleston!

Famous names in jazz history, such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Scott Joplin, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington, are discussed; musical terms such as 12-bar blues, improvisation and scat; and styles of jazz, including blues, Dixieland, big band swing, Afro-Cuban/Latin jazz and more become a part of the audience’s vocabulary.

Teachers and administrators:  To learn more about the flow and content, and how it meets several Academic Content Standards, click here.

Visit GCAC to schedule American Jazz Experience for your school through its Artist-in-Schools offerings! The actual cost to present this program is $1200. Jazz Arts Group actively seeks subsidies to reduce the fees for schools, libraries and community centers. Be sure to check for an available subsidy while registering to lower your fee.

American Jazz Experience is partially sponsored by Coldwell Banker King Thompson.

Jim Masters, trombone
Bobby Floyd, piano
Gene Walker, saxophone
Dave DeWitt, bass
Joe Ong, drums