3rd Annual Jazz Masters Concert: A Benefit for Kansas City Youth Jazz

The 3rd Annual Jazz Masters Concert Fundraiser is Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:30 PM at The Madrid Theatre, 3810 Main Street in Kansas City. The event is a benefit for Kansas City Youth Jazz.

About Kansas City Youth Jazz

In January 2001, Kansas City Youth Jazz program began with one band and a handful of dedicated students and parents. It has since grown to 5 bands and two combos composed of over 100 students from over 50 different schools throughout greater Kansas City, including students from Lawrence, Lansing, Olathe, Raytown, Raymore-Peculiar, Lee's Summit, Blue Valley, Blue Springs, Kansas City, MO, Independence, and Turner schools along with several students from Shawnee Mission and Kansas City, Kansas. The staff, students, parents, Board and friends of Kansas City Youth Jazz are diligently committed to:

• Developing and maintaining a multicultural, jazz education program in metropolitan Kansas City where students in grades six through twelve, learn respect, responsibility and tolerance through music.
  
  
• Enhancing the music education programs currently taught in public and private schools by providing participation opportunities for students of institutions without music programs and to increase musical creativity for those students in institutions with established music programs.
  
  
• Increasing social competency by providing experiences that break down stereotypes and foster cultural sensitivity through students of different social and cultural backgrounds performing side by side and forming bonds of friendship and respect.
  
  
• Improving school attendance and academic achievement at all levels of educations through the positive effect of music education.
  
  
• Developing the life skills of self-discipline and diligence, self- expression and creativity, cooperation and problem solving.
  
  
• Nurturing leadership by increasing self-esteem through the feelings of pride and accomplishment derived from program participation and public performance.
  
  

Regional and National Recognition

KCYJ ensembles perform regularly throughout the Kansas City region from various concert series and festivals, to major venues that include the Sprint Center. Most recently, the Kansas City Youth Jazz program's Reno Band was invited to perform and participate in the Monterey Jazz Festival's 6th Annual Next Generation Festival.

3rd Annual Jazz Masters Concert

This year the show is at the Madrid Theater and includes dinner. Musicians include the hot new group Diverse, the Jim Mair Combo, the KCYJ instructors Leon Brady, Clarence Smith, Chris, Burnett, Stan Kessler, Greg Richter and Jason with special guest Mike White. Also performing is the KCYJ Reno Band just back from the Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA.

The 12:30 Combo will perform at the Patron's Event from 6:00 to 6:45. This year's hosts are Annie and Antwaun Smith. Dinner and show tickets start at $75. General Admission only $15 and $10 for students.

For information and to get involved as a sponsor, patron or to purchase tickets, please visit the official Kansas City Youth Jazz website (KCYouthJazz.org) or call 913.424.9903 to order by phone.