On July 30, 2024, CBS Mornings aired their profile of the nationally recognized jazz education organization JAZZ HOUSE KiDS. CBS host Vladimir Duthiers spoke with Founder Melissa Walker and her husband, nine-time GRAMMY-Award winning bassist and the non-profit's Artistic Director Christian McBride. While visiting the JAZZ HOUSE headquarters in Montclair, NJ, Duthiers also interviewed JAZZ HOUSE KiDS students Mark Ricco and Sinclair Powell about the positive impact the organization has had on their lives.
Duthiers recounted some of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ accolades, saying “More than 52,000 students of all ages served through lessons and ensembles. Over 1,200 free instruments for kids who can't afford one. Guest instruction from the likes of Wynton Marsalis and Pat Metheny. A thriving free jazz festival in its 15th year, and so much more all with a focus on making Jazz accessible for all.”
“It's so important for us when you see some young person, you see they have the fire in their eyes,” said McBride. “They want to do this, but they might not have the money. You do what you need to.”
When asked what she’s most proud of about JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, Melissa Walker explained “It's these kids who come each and every week and have this safe nurturing place just to be their best self.”
“JAZZ HOUSE has been that place that everyone gets to go and just be themselves,” said student Mark Ricco. “Especially for me; I didn't have to blend in as much with the people [at JAZZ HOUSE]. I've always had to do that in my life in order to not be made fun of, or bullied at school. It's really made a difference in my life… I'm so sad I'm graduating, I wish I could be here for the rest of my life.” Ricco is headed to William Paterson University in New Jersey to study jazz in the fall.
“JAZZ HOUSE has become my family,” says student Sinclair Powell. “These people watched me grow up, and then meeting friends like [Mark, who] will hopefully be lifelong friends. It means a lot to me.”
Now in its third decade, the nationally recognized JAZZ HOUSE KiDS transforms lives using the power and legacy of jazz through world-class education and performances that create avenues of access, learning, career development and community building. Recently featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show and celebrated by global superstar Sting at their recent Ralph Pucci International annual event, the organization and students have received more than 150 awards and honors for excellence in jazz and jazz education. Fostering a unique community and culture around jazz music, the JAZZ HOUSE has developed a stellar reputation for developing young talent on and off the stage.
The JAZZ HOUSE has two locations: its headquarters in Montclair, NJ and a satellite program in New York City in collaboration with Trinity Church Wall Street. GRAMMY-winning artist Samara Joy visited Trinity as a teaching assistant, and performed for JAZZ HOUSE’s Jazz at One program and will be a special guest at the JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop in August. Every day of the week through a series of in-school programs in New Jersey and out-of-school programs in Montclair and Lower Manhattan, JAZZ HOUSE helps young people gain an artistic edge, fostering community leaders and global citizens who help build thriving communities.
As part of their access and community building initiatives, JAZZ HOUSE produces 150+ free public concerts per year to audiences over 250,000, and thousands more online, including the organization’s far-reaching cultural signature program, the award-winning Montclair Jazz Fest, which is the largest free jazz festival in the NYC area, attracting 25,000+ attendees to downtown Montclair annually. This year, Montclair Jazz Fest is celebrating its 15th Anniversary with the Downtown Jamboree on September 14th. 2024 performers include GRAMMY-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton, the festival’s music director Christian McBride with his acclaimed quintet Inside Straight, drummer Jerome Jennings & ill Philosophy, Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda Quartet, seashellist and veteran trombonist Steve Turre Sextet, rising star Brianna Thomas, Montclair State University Jazz Ensemble directed by Oscar Perez, and the JAZZ HOUSE Collective Celebrating Sarah Vaughan featuring vocalist Melissa Walker, and the JAZZ HOUSE Legacy Band. For more information on how to get involved as a Montclair Jazz Festival volunteer, sponsor, vendor or business visit the website. Individual supporters can become a member, and download the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL App in the Google or Apple store.
For more information about getting involved or donating to JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, please visit https://jazzhousekids.org/
Melissa Walker is a leading cultural voice and cross-sector strategist driving national programming that uses the power of jazz education and live performance to promote and advance youth development and community engagement. She is the brainchild behind JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, now in its third decade and the nation’s preeminent jazz organization serving as an instrument for change and transforming young lives by creating avenues of access, learning, career development and community building. A Brown University graduate and GRAMMY Award-winning jazz vocalist, Walker has been recognized by NJBiz as one of New Jersey’s “Best 50 Women in Business,” and received a Jazz Journalists Association's Jazz Hero Award. In 2023, she was one of just 11 individuals from across New Jersey awarded the prestigious Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award, which recognizes unsung heroes who demonstrate their passion and unstoppable commitment to giving back to their communities and serving the most vulnerable.
Christian McBride is a nine-time GRAMMY®-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. He is the Artistic Director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, the New Jersey Performing Art Center’s TD James Moody Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. McBride is also a respected educator and advocate for youth, and serves as Artistic Director of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Sessions. In addition to artistic directing and consistent touring with his ensembles, he hosts NPR’s “Jazz Night in America” and “The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian” on SiriusXM. Whether behind the bass or away from it, Christian McBride is always part of the music. From jazz to R&B, and pop/rock and hip-hop/neo-soul to classical, he is a luminary with one hand ever reaching for new heights, and the other extended in fellowship—and perhaps the hint of a challenge—inviting us to join him. McBride’s newest album But Who’s Gonna Play The Melody? was recorded with renowned bassist, composer, and seven-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Edgar Meyer. Out now via Mack Avenue Records, the album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart.
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