JAM: December 2006 - January 2007 Issue: Feature Story

Jazz Storytelling at the AJM a Hit with Preshool Set

by Roger Atkinson

Education is a key mission at the American Jazz Museum. Former director Juanita Moore had a goal that there should be educational programs for every age group.

“Kids love stories,” says Glenn North from the AJM. So it was a natural to introduce kids from ages two to seven through the telling of stories. Jazz Storytelling was born.

The free program is every other Friday at the museum, and has been a big hit. “We have about thirty children here today”, said North, “but it is more typically around sixty. We have had a couple of hundred here, too.”

The main storytellers are Brother John (“a great storyteller,” says North) and Lisa Henry, and there is a different topic every week. The stories this month have been about Ella Fitzgerald; December subjects include Charlie Parker and a special seasonal tale; stories about Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong stories were done in prior months.

“Every parent wants their children to be culturally aware,” shared Lisa Henry, who has been involved in the program for the past four years. “This music is a part of the culture in this country.
Exposure to Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington— most parents would agree that their music and stories are important to know, whether they are jazz fans themselves or not.”

Glenn and Lisa both indicate that the children love the programs. “We really get the kids involved. They get up, scat, dance, mambo. It’s about self-expression. Scat singing—they are singing their song; we tell them that this is their creation, their story.”

North adds, “We have developed certain rituals. First, they say ‘hello’ to each other in two different languages. We then have an opening song that we all sing. The kids who are repeaters really look forward to that.

The Museum now gets requests to do the programs outside the Museum. Says North, “It’s popular. We want to extend this to be an outreach program in the future.”

Henry, who has been working with youth her whole life, is passionate about what it teaches. “Jazz gives them permission to be who they are. Not having to explain themselves is a great gift. Jazz is about the freedom to express yourself. It is a living
example of democracy: respect for yourself and respect for each other. This is important for kids to know.”

[The AJM Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum.com,
has a schedule of Jazz Storytelling classes, as well as
other educational offerings.]






	Search our site:		Jazz Storytelling at the AJM a Hit with Preshool Set by Roger Atkinson Education is a key mission at the American Jazz Museum. Former director Juanita Moore had a goal that there should be educational programs for every age group. “Kids love stories,” says Glenn North from the AJM. So it was a natural to introduce kids from ages two to seven through the telling of stories. Jazz Storytelling was born. The free program is every other Friday at the museum, and has been a big hit. “We have about thirty children here today”, said North, “but it is more typically around sixty. We have had a couple of hundred here, too.” The main storytellers are Brother John (“a great storyteller,” says North) and Lisa Henry, and there is a different topic every week. The stories this month have been about Ella Fitzgerald; December subjects include Charlie Parker and a special seasonal tale; stories about Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong stories were done in prior months. “Every parent wants their children to be culturally aware,” shared Lisa Henry, who has been involved in the program for the past four years. “This music is a part of the culture in this country. Exposure to Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington— most parents would agree that their music and stories are important to know, whether they are jazz fans themselves or not.” Glenn and Lisa both indicate that the children love the programs. “We really get the kids involved. They get up, scat, dance, mambo. It’s about self-expression. Scat singing—they are singing their song; we tell them that this is their creation, their story.” North adds, “We have developed certain rituals. First, they say ‘hello’ to each other in two different languages. We then have an opening song that we all sing. The kids who are repeaters really look forward to that. The Museum now gets requests to do the programs outside the Museum. Says North, “It’s popular. We want to extend this to be an outreach program in the future.” Henry, who has been working with youth her whole life, is passionate about what it teaches. “Jazz gives them permission to be who they are. Not having to explain themselves is a great gift. Jazz is about the freedom to express yourself. It is a living example of democracy: respect for yourself and respect for each other. This is important for kids to know.” [The AJM Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum.com, has a schedule of Jazz Storytelling classes, as well as other educational offerings.] RETURN TO DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2006. All rights reserved.