Can children as young as seven dig jazz? The Cheltenham Jazz Festival project Jazz Music For Schools proved that they definitely can.
With a band named the Happy Vampers, and a sharply-focussed programme that engaged 1,400 children age seven to eleven, the project thrilled youngsters from 22 Gloucestershire schools, who packed the festival’s Big Top for a private performance.
With singer Lucy-Anne Daniels and bandleader tenor saxophonist Nick Brown encouraging cheering and interplay from the children, they had the pupil’s feet tapping and arms waving to jazz versions of appealing songs including a swinging “Old McDonald Had A Farm”.
The project, now established for nine years, is led by Pip Claridge, Participation Manager for Concerts for Schools, which is under the umbrella title of Musicate. She told me: “The idea is to give the children a chance to hear, and understand, live music in a large venue. We also have a classical project. “The feedback we get from schools after these concerts is just marvellous.”
Nick added: “One comment from a child was: ‘Best day ever!’ It was great to hear that.”
The Happy Vampers line-up:
Lucy-Anne Daniels, vocals; Nick Brown, tenor; Charlie Bates, piano; Ben Love, bass; Kai Chareunsy, drums; Giulia Marro, clarinet; Rebecca Wing, alto; Pete Horsfall, trumpet; Ralph Clarkson, trombone; Julien Durand, guitar.
