Students as the Jazz Arts Project inside the nonprofit’s home at 50 White Street. (Photos by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
“We’re excited that we have a brick and mortar space for the kids to congregate and the main thing is really forming a community within the Red Bank community,” said Kiki Rausch, director of education for Jazz Arts Project.
The space is in the rear of Trinity Episcopal Church complex at 50 White Street, where Executive Director Joe Muccioli said the nonprofit will expand from the single room it now uses to another space currently occupied by another tenant.
“Little by little we’re taking over this whole wing,” he said.
The front door of the space features a painting of Miles Davis by Red Bank artist Michael White.
Michael White next to his Miles Davis door at the Jazz Arts Project. (Photo by Brian Donohue)
White recounted a recent Sunday morning standing outside the building, when, similar to Saturday’s ribbon-cutting, the sounds of students playing jazz was spilling out onto the sidewalk.
“I could hear the rehearsals going on inside and I thought, “This is really a very special place,'” White said. “Jazz is important, it’s the American art form of the last century and the youngsters who are involved are communing with each other, comuning with this incredible art form so I knew, beyond the interest I have in Miles Davis and jazz overall, that this is a really special aspect of the community and it’s great to be a part of it.”
Jazz Arts Project programs include a free two-week summer program to introduce kids to jazz, a mentoring program and regular concerts featuring well-known jazz musicians and a year-round jazz academy.
Its annual showcase, featuring a performance by trumpet great John Faddis is Sunday, December 14 at the Two River Theatre. The show is part of the “Legends and Lions” series in which students share the stage with accomplished musicians.
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redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
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