WANTED: NEW AUDIENCES FOR JAZZ

NEW YORKS ACCLAIMED JAZZREACH" PERFORMING ARTS & EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESENTS A LIVE INTERACTIVE PROGRAM FOR THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK, NY September 30, 2003 - JazzReach Performing Arts & Education, Association Inc. will present numerous performances of its widely acclaimed educational outreach programs throughout California this fall as part of a the organizations 2003-04 season. These unique multimedia productions will also be supplemented by additional clinics, workshops and concerts. All events will feature JazzReachs critically lauded resident ensemble, Metta Quintet, and aim to serve over 10,000 young people.

The objectives of JazzReachs programs are to foster in its audiences, a greater appreciation and awareness of jazz and promote the musics significant place in both American history and world culture.

Despite the music being deemed a national treasure by the U.S. Congress, young people simply have no access to jazz" says JazzReachs founder, musician H. Benjamin Schuman. One rarely sees jazz on television, hears it on the radio, or learns about it in the classroom. At best, it exists on the periphery of the American consciousness. Therefore, as musicians, I strongly believe its our responsibility to bring it to young people who would otherwise not have access to it."

Scheduled to take place between October 18 and November 5, JazzReach will visit seven venues throughout the state, alternating between two of its educational programs, GET HIP!" and STOLEN MOMENTS: THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF JAZZ". Schuman explains, The Get Hip! program targets audiences from grades 3-6 and serves as an introduction to the jazz ensemble, illustrating the function of each individual member. The program also traces the cultural lineage of the music and illuminates the concept of improvisation through numerous audience participation segments. The Stolen Moments program targets students in grades 7-12 and aims to promote the musics history using 20th century American history as a backdrop so as to give the music a three-dimensional social and cultural context.

JazzReachs complete fall itinerary is as follows:
October 19 - The Jazz School - Berkeley, CA (W, C) 4:30pm $10-15 tickets
October 21 - Zellerbach Hall - University of California / Berkeley, CA (GH)
October 23 - Kuumbwa Jazz Center - Santa Cruz, CA (C)
October 26 - Jazz Bakery - Los Angeles, CA (Matinee - C) 4pm
October 27 - The East County Performing Arts Center, El Cajon, CA (SM)
October 28 & 29, 2003 - Cerritos Center-Cerritos, CA (GH, SM)
October 30 - The East County Performing Arts Center - El Cajon, CA (GH)
November 4 & 5, 2003 - McCallum Center for Performing Arts - Palm Desert, CA (SM)

W = workshop C = concert GH = Get Hip! SM = Stolen Moments

Established by musician H. Benjamin Schuman in 1994, JazzReach is a nationally recognized New York City-based not-for-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of young people. Through the presentation of highly engaging, all-original educational outreach programs, JazzReach has quickly established itself as one of our nation's leading arts/education organizations. Since premiering its debut program in 1997, JazzReachs widely praised programs have successfully served over 65,000 young people nationwide in partnership with some of America's most distinguished cultural and performing arts venues.