Fun With Jazz

The "Fun With Jazz" Educational Program was originated by Birmingham jazz pianist and vocalist Ray Reach through the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The program is currently being sponsored by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

"Fun With Jazz" is a free educational program that brings the arts to students at their schools, for grades 1-12 and beyond. In these free, one-hour lessons, Reach will come to a school or organization and introduce students to the exciting world of jazz music through a combination of live music and interactive lessons. With the help accompanying musicians, Reach demonstrates the unique qualities that make jazz a truly American art form.

A school can bring in the first program only, or sign up for all of them. The program can be tailored for individual schools' or organizations' special needs. For reservations call Ray Reach, Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, at 205-960-6328. Some examples of the programs are:

1) Fun With Jazz I: In this class Reach will discuss the history of jazz, improvisation, the instruments played, famous musicians and more.

2) Fun With Jazz II, The Musicians: Students will learn about the most important musicians in jazz history.

3) Fun With Jazz III, Jazz Today: The students will learn about jazz vocalists, the life of a contemporary jazz musician and what types of music have evolved from jazz music.

4) Fun With Jazz IV, Workshops on Jazz Styles and Improvisational Techniques: This service is offered to middle school, high school and college jazz bands. Reach and his jazz faculty will present a one or two day intensive workshop, unlocking the “secrets” to learning how to perform and improvise jazz.

The "Fun With Jazz" Faculty

For the “Fun With Jazz” series, Ray Reach has assembeled a formidable faculty. Together, this faculty is a working jazz band known as the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars. The roster of musicians includes:

• Tommy Stewart - Trumperer / arranger / composer - Tommy has been a practicing jazz musician for over 50 years, and has performed with and arraged for Duke Pearson, Sonny Stitt, Ray Charles, and many others

• Gary Wheat - Saxophones - Gary is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, majoring in Jazz Studies. He is known as one of the finest young saxophonosts in the Southeast.

• Dave Amaral - Saxophone / flute / clarinet - Dave is one of the finest jazz musicians in Alabama. He also holds a law degree and works as a judicial administrator.

• Cleveland Eaton - Bass - Cleve is a veteran of the Ramsey Lewis Trio (11 years)and the Count Basie Orchestra (16 years). He has been playing jazz for over 50 years.

• Abe Becker - Bass - A graduate (in composition) of Indiana University, Abe is Bass Instructor for the UAB Department of Music and for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

• John Nuckols - Drums - John holds a degree in percussion from the University of Alabama. He also studied drums with Alan Dawson, drummer for Dave Brubeck.

• Chad Fisher - Trombone - Chad is a member of the well-known Tuscaloosa Horns, and leads his own ensemble, The Chad Fisher Group.

• Carlos Pino - Guitar -Carlos holds the Bachelor of Arts degree from UAB and the Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University.

• Ray Reach - Pianist / vocalist / arranger / composer - Ray is the creator and director of the “Fun WIth Jazz” series.

External Links

• Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame website
• Ray Reach at All About Jazz