2008 Events

February 16, 2008

Pan and Jazz:  Tobago and U.S. Make Beautiful Music Together

Students, teachers, and community members learned about American jazz at a Tobago workshop held on February 16, 2008 with members of the Kelley Johnson Jazz Quartet.  The group, which came to Tobago as part of the American Music Abroad program, took many questions – including “What is jazz?” “How do jazz and blues differ?” and “Can you play a calypso jazz for us?” from an eager audience, many of whom participate in the Glorious Sounds Orchestra of Tobago.   Vocalist Kelley Johnson, bassist Nathan Peck, keyboardist John Hansen, and drummer Jon Wikan coached the musicians on jazz improvisation, teaching them a Duke Ellington ditty and then how to spin off from it.  Youngsters playing flute, trumpet, clarinet, tuba, violin, guitar and drums each received personal encouragement from one of the musicians.

Their hard work paid off the next evening at a concert for over 300 people at Mason Hall Secondary School, when Glorious Sounds teamed up with KJQ to perform a jazz improvisation.  The concert also featured performances by local musicians, including Princess Adana, pianist Stacey Frith, and Anthony “Pan Jumbie” Williams, who performed the T&T National Anthem on steel pan.  The concert was organized by the Tobago House of Assembly Division of Community Development and Culture in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago.

American Music Abroad sends U.S. musicians throughout the world in an effort to increase mutual understanding.  Musicians participate in cultural exchanges  including workshops, master classes, and concerts.  The Kelley Johnson Quartet performed in Port of Spain on February 15 and in Tobago from February 16-19.

Kelley Johnson coaches brass section

Kelley Johnson directs brass section

Flutists listen to Kelley Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

Tuba player learns about jazz improvisation

Kelley Johnson coaches woodwinds from Glorious Sounds Orchestra

Drummers learn from KJQ drummer Jon Wikan