Jazz Ambassadors of Chicago
This hour we try to remember what summer was like with a performance recorded in our Levin performance studio in early September by a group of teens who participated in a Chicago summer program organized by the Chicago Park District in partnership with the Jazz Institute of Chicago.
The students auditioned and interviewed for the 6 week program that offered them the opportunity to rehearse under the direction of 3 Jazz Institute mentors–saxophonist Pat Mallinger; pianist Willie Pickens; and bassist Lorin Cohen, who coached the combo this hour.
The band performed at several parks around the city, as part of CPD’s Summer Performances in the Parks series — that where I first heard them — and completed their summer internship with a grand finale performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago.
The members of the Jazz Ambassadors are:
Tyler Brooks, 18, piano, Kenwood Academy (attending Stanford in the fall)
Liam Cunningham, 17, bass, Whitney Young High School
Iman Jarad, 17, bass, North Side Preparatory High School
Yael Litwin, 17, percussion, The University of Chicago Laboratory School
Irvin Pierce, 16, saxophone, Bowen High School
Marcus Powell, 16, guitar, Kenwood Academy
Chakeiya Powell, 18, saxophone, Kenwood Academy
Joel Ross, 15, vibraphone, Chicago High School for the Arts
Joshua Ross, 15, percussion, Chicago High School for the Arts
Christopher Stein, 17, trumpet, Jones College Preparatory High School
And the ensemble was coached today by Chicago jazz bassist Loren Cohen.
The program is supported with funds from the Arts & Culture budget of the Chicago Park District, the Leo P. Guthman Foundation and by the Illinois Arts Council.
Program:
Cedar’s Blues by Cedar Walton. Arranged by Lorin Cohen
You’re My Everything by Harry Warren. (comp. Harry Warren, arr. Lorin Cohen)
Perky (comp. Liam Cunningham, arr. Liam Cunningham/Lorin Cohen)
3 piece segue:
Night Dreamer (comp. Wayne Shorter)
Translation Day (comp. Tyler Brooks arr. Tyler Brooks/Lorin Cohen)
Hope for Love (comp. Lorin Cohen arr. Lorin Cohen)
Played Twice (comp. Thelonious Monk)
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