Thirty-seven student members from the Rocky Point Middle School and Rocky Point High School jazz ensembles, under the direction of Vincent Ragona and Kyra Kenwood, respectively, and accompanied by Rocky Point Secondary Music Department Chairperson Amy Schecher, participated in an educational clinic at The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook, New York.
The day began with a tour of the museum portion of The Jazz Loft. This included seeing and learning about several items of original jazz memorabilia spanning 100 years of the American-born art form celebrating not only the music, but also wo
rks of art and photography throughout the many galleries. On display was a recently acquired collection of more than 50 items from jazz saxophone legend Charlie “Bird” Parker, including master acetates from some of his most important recording sessions; a personalized instrument case; his union card; numerous notes, letters and correspondence; and his Birdland contracts.
The day continued into the performing area of The Jazz Loft, where the students participated in an interactive improvisation activity led by trumpeter Thomas Manuel, who is the president and founder of The Jazz Loft. The High School Jazz Ensemble then participated in a masterclass workshop with Mr. Manuel. They performed “Fat Cat,” composed by Doug Beach, and received helpful feedback from Mr. Manuel on strategies for improving and enhancing their performance skills. Then the students also performed “Red’s Good Groove,” composed by Red Garland, and received additional suggestions to help hone their craft.
The Jazz Loft began in 2016 as an effort to preserve Long Island’s rich jazz history and pass an appreciation of the genre on to a new generation. It has since grown into a community pillar that few could have imagined. With its combined mission of preservation, education and performance, The Jazz Loft is one of only five jazz museums in the United States. It is a unique source of memorabilia that includes archives, instruments and much more from the greatest jazz musicians in history. The Jazz Loft also offers 160 live performances throughout the year.
The Jazz Loft is located in Stony Brook at The Old Stone House, built circa 1770. This building holds great cultural and architectural significance not just to the local community, but also to the Long Island region, New York State and the nation, having been a functioning and usable space by the community’s inhabitants since the late 18th century during the Culper Spy Ring.
“Tom Manuel is very charismatic, and I hope the students learned a lot and were inspired,”
Ms. Kenwood said. “This was a wonderful opportunity for our students, and we are lucky to have this treasure on Long Island. Tom Manuel and his staff have done such a wonderful job preserving jazz history as well as offering interactive workshops to educate teachers and students to help keep jazz music alive! I feel so fortunate that we have this resource right here at our fingertips. I am very passionate about jazz music and my mission is to do my part to educate others about it and to instill my love for the jazz idiom into the next generation of students. I am very excited that Rocky Point will be offering a Jazz elective at the High School during the 2024-2025 school year.”
“Congratulations to the Middle School and High School Jazz Ensemble students, and Ms. Kenwood and Mr. Ragona, for participating in this worthwhile musical and cultural experience,” a joint message from Rocky Point music department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Schecher read. “We are very thankful and proud of the work that both Ms. Kenwood and Mr. Ragona do to provide meaningful musical experiences for their students. Extra thanks go to Ms. Kenwood for spearheading this initiative. During a music education conference that the entire music department attended last fall, Ms. Kenwood made the connection with Mr. Tom Manuel and worked very hard to set up this endeavor for the students. This opportunity provided the teachers with a wonderful day of professional development and the students with an enriching musical experience, both from a performance perspective as well as a deeply historical one. We would like to thank the Rocky Point administration and Board of Education for supporting these musical ventures. We would also like to thank the Rocky Point Friends of Music Booster Club for their generous donation, which made it possible for the students to attend this field trip.”
Click here to view the photo slideshow.
Date Added: 3/25/2024