Jazz in the 21st Century
Jazz Education Program
School started off with a musical bang on Friday, April 14 for the 360 students at Christ the King School in Indianapolis!
The first through eighth-grade students assembled in the gymnasium for a special surprise to start their day. Principle Ed Seib introduced Rob Dixon and his quintet from the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation. Dixon said, “We’ll play first, and then we’ll talk,” and immediately played a long riff on his soprano sax, captivating every eye and ear in the room.
Featured Musicians
Rob Dixon — saxophones
Andrew Danforth — trombone
Jesse Wittman — bass
Kenny Phelps — drums
Steven Jones — keyboard
Then the quintet joined in a fun and lively rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Dixon and the quintet talked and played their way through the history of American jazz from the beginnings in New Orleans and the second-line bands to the days of Wes Montgomery in Indianapolis, to today’s varied jazz scene with a minimalist tune by Miles Davis. The students smiled, clapped, and at the end, even danced to the music.
Christ the King School is a “Blue Ribbon” honor school, having earned awards for academic achievement and student development. Principal Ed Seib thanked the IJF and reiterated the school’s goals for a well-rounded learning environment that develops the whole child. The IJF thanks Kent Baker and the Care for Kids Foundation for their sponsorship of the program.
