History
The Jazz Academy of Music, Inc. (JAM), a non-profit 501c3 organization, established in 2002, 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.
Vision
The Academy is unique because established professional performing musicians in the community, in partnership with the educators in our schools and colleges will teach the students. Paramount to the success of the program is that the Academy provides various outlets for the students to perform. The performances reinforce the need to establish and achieve goals. A discipline that is crucial to success in life.
The need for the offerings espoused by the Jazz Academy is two-fold:
- Jazz music is a historic musical art form that needs a platform for sharing the craft in order to preserve and advance the music.
- Our youth need to be taught the disciplines of music or other art forms in order advance and enhance their artistic and intellectual capabilities.
These two needs are complementary. Jazz music is an art form that has traditionally been preserved through story telling and instruction passed down from generation to generation by professional artists in the community.
Please feel free to explore this web-site and contact us if you would like to know more about the Academy and the benefits of exploring the musical art form of Jazz.
