Jazz for Kids, with a Jingle is designed to open the world of jazz to kids and adults alike. By using familiar songs, David Leonhardt explains how a jazz musician uses the form and raw materials of a composition to structure a unique performance every time he performs. Popular songs, as well as classical themes, are played in various styles and tempos and arranged in different manners to demonstrate how to understand and appreciate a jazz performance. For his performance at RLAC, he and his group will add seasonal tunes to the mix, so we can all swing into the holiday season.
Pianist and composer David Leonhardt has been a jazz performer and internationally recognized jazz educator for over thirty years. He has played with jazz greats Stan Getz, Herbie Mann and Slide Hampton. His compositions have been recorded by such outstanding performers as Stanley Turentine, David 'Fathead' Newman, Hank Crawford and Claudio Roditi. He has written arrangements for The Art Blakey Big Band and been guest conductor and arranger for The Benny Carter Orchestra. The Jazz Group has made appearances at international festivals in China and France. His all-star group has played at The Apollo Theatre, The Blue Note, Birdland and Sweet Basil.
The Jazz for Kids concert will be presented as a private school show for students from Harrisburg Academy and Steelton Highspire Elementary School on Monday, December 8 at 10am in the RLAC Theatre.
Jazz for Kids, with a Jingle featuring David Leonhardt Jazz Group will be presented on Sunday, December 7 at 2pm in the Rose Lehrman Arts Center Theatre. This one hour ticketed performance is appropriate for ages 5 and up. Admission is $8. Early reservations recommended. Call the Box Office at (717) 231-ROSE (7673).