KEYWORDS

America’s contribution to the world of music, jazz is as varied, complex and diverse as the melting pot in which it was born. Rialto makes it simpler to understand by comparing jazz to a story in which each member of the ensemble contributes to the narrative by adding his own variations and embellishments. Students will hear a wide range of jazz styles and learn how to distinguish traditional jazz from swing, calypso and Afro-Cuban forms. They will discover why jazz is such an important part of American cultural history and will experience jazz in the making by picking up rhythm instruments and “writing” their own ideas into the evolving musical “story.”

Rialto Jazz for Kids, featuring The Phoenix Jazztet

Rialto Jazz for Kids is professional trumpet player Dr. Gordon Vernick, double bassist Scott Smith, pianist Gary Motley and jazz percussionist Justin Varnes. 

Between them, the members of Rialto Jazz have taught students at Emory University, Georgia State University, Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, and Valdosta State University, in addition to the thousands of K-8 students they have reached through Young Audiences. 

In its captivating programs, Rialto Jazz demonstrates how certain sounds are produced and performs a variety of music, including jazz standards and jazz versions of familiar children's tunes.