Primary Instrument
Voice / vocals
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Teaches piano - beginners - intermediate - specializes in teaching vocalists how
to use piano as a tool - to learn tunes - write charts - find keys - write
arrangements, etc.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Musical Legends Presents
“Jazz 4 Kids”
An Interactive, Educational, Musical Experience for all Ages
Explore the jazz legends of the world with Musical Legends interactive,
educational program: “Jazz 4 Kids”.
Together, with world renowned jazz musicians and vocalist/educator Lauren
Hooker, the ensemble leads the audience through the origins of jazz,
beginning the journey with a participatory African “Call and Response” song
and translating it into singing a “Twelve Bar Blues”, a “Swing” tune, and a
“Bee-Bop” and “Modern Jazz” composition
Read more
Primary Instrument
Voice / vocals
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Teaches piano - beginners - intermediate - specializes in teaching vocalists how
to use piano as a tool - to learn tunes - write charts - find keys - write
arrangements, etc.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Musical Legends Presents
“Jazz 4 Kids”
An Interactive, Educational, Musical Experience for all Ages
Explore the jazz legends of the world with Musical Legends interactive,
educational program: “Jazz 4 Kids”.
Together, with world renowned jazz musicians and vocalist/educator Lauren
Hooker, the ensemble leads the audience through the origins of jazz,
beginning the journey with a participatory African “Call and Response” song
and translating it into singing a “Twelve Bar Blues”, a “Swing” tune, and a
“Bee-Bop” and “Modern Jazz” composition.
Children are exposed to jazz legends Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker, Duke
Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis while participating in “Jazz
Etiquette” and “Trading Fours”. The audience becomes the instruments in a
“Jazz Trio” and experiences the freedom of improvisational scat singing.
It’s fun! It’s educational! It’s exciting!
A wonderful program that explores one of America’s truest art forms.
Pre-K – 12th Grade: 45 Minute Program: $800
THE MUSICANS/EDUCATORS:
LAUREN HOOKER, Musical Legends Artistic Director, helps to continue the
tradition of great jazz singing. Critics from across the nation have compared
her sound and style to that of Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan,
Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn and Sheila Jordan; her lyric writing to Jon
Hendricks’ and her songwriting as some of the best in the business. Lauren,
whose critically acclaimed CD was awarded Honorable Mention as one of
AllAboutJazz-New York's selected Best CDs in ’07, is not just another singer,
she is a consummate musician, known throughout the NY metropolitan area
as a multi-talented and sophisticated vocalist, instrumentalist, composer,
lyricist, educator, producer and storyteller. Formerly a music teacher at the
acclaimed Bank Street School for Children in Manhattan, she currently teaches
piano privately and group lessons at Hamilton Park Montessori in Jersey City.
Pianist ALLEN FARNHAM attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin,
Ohio with degrees in Classical Piano and Jazz Studies. In 1983, Farnham
moved to New York City, working in area jazz spots, as well as teaching,
composing and arranging. In 1988, he joined the staff of Concord Records, as
a producer and director of Radio Promotion. In 1989, Farnham received a
grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which funded the recording
of his first album, "Fifth House" and continues to record extensively for
Concord both as a sideman and leader. His most recent album, "Allen
Farnham Meets the RIAS Big Band" (Concord 4789) features Farnham's
original compositions and arrangements for 17 piece big band performed by
the renowned Berlin Radio RIAS Big Band. He presently continues to freelance
in New York City, including on Broadway with the Lion King, as well as touring
internationally as a solo artist or member of drummer Jae Sinnett's trio.
VINCE ECTOR, percussionist and educator, hails from the musical city of
Philadelphia where he attended the University of Pennsylvania. He was trained
in music beginning at age nine through GAMP, a music magnet school in
Philadelphia and Temple University while still a junior high school student. He
then began studying privately, as well as performing for six years as a
percussionist with the United States Army Band. As a performer, Vince has
worked with such jazz luminaries as Freddie Hubbard, Gloria Lynne, Charles
Earland, Ted Curson, George Cables, and Grover Washington Jr. to name a
few. He is featured on over 40 International musical recordings and performs
regularly at jazz festivals around the world. He has also performed on
numerous network television programs in the U.S. and abroad, including
appearing as a musician on ABC television's "One Life to Live" daytime soap
opera. Mr. Ector is a sought after teaching artist in the NYC, NJ and
Connecticut public school system providing workshops, performances and
professional development, which includes populations with special needs. He
has been featured as a Clinician at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia,
Rutgers University and Lincoln University. He is also a sought after Artist-in-
Residence for other organizations such as; The Manhattan New Music Project
and Arts Horizons Inc. of Englewood, New Jersey. Most recently, Mr. Ector was
a featured teaching artist in the 2001 Harcourt/Brace Media Literacy Video
Series, which will be distributed nationally. Always striving, always learning,
he currently attends William Paterson University for music performance.
BELDEN BULLOCK is an accomplished acoustic/electric bassist who hails from
his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts where he has played and recorded
with many of the top acts in the area. He is a graduate of the Berklee College
of Music, and spent several years teaching at Berklee after graduation as an
ensemble professor. Since moving to New York in 1988, Mr. Bullock has
become a regular fixture at most of the top clubs throughout the tri-state
area. In the early 1990's, he played exclusive engagements with such jazz
greats as pianist Ahmad Jamal, pianist Andrew Hill, saxophonist James
Spaulding, and the late tenor saxophonist George Adams. Belden currently
plays regularly with such artists as Enja recording artist Abdullah Ibrahim,
Evidence recording artist the Ralph Peterson Fo'tet, Black Saint recording
artist The Oliver Lake Quintet, and Muse recording artist The Jay Hoggard
group. During his career, he has performed with the following prominent jazz
artists: drummer Roy Haynes, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, vocalist Gloria
Lynn, and trumpeter Ted Curson. Mr. Bullock continues to perform with many
of the top musicians in the New York City area.
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