Jazz Assembly and Workshop

On Monday 8th June, we were graced with the presence of a professional jazz trio. Led by saxophonist, Leo Richardson, our collective weeks started in a very different way from the norm. Children arrived in the hall to find the piano had been wheeled in, joined by a double bass (not a massive cello) and a tenor saxophone. We were treated to three tunes, starting with the well-known 'Watermelon Man,' by Herbie Hancock. Children were treated to a mixture of jazz, blues and ragtime, with some impressive improvisation on display.

After the assembly, both Year 3 classes had a workshop, where they learnt 'C-jam blues,' and had a go at improvising themselves. The workshop itself was based around children's own learning - the focus was on blues with a ragtime feel and built on the children's prior learning, as well as introducing the concept of scat singing. Children then performed their own interpretation of c-jam blues and many of them braved an improvisation solo, during the performance.

It was a wonderful morning; one that will hopefully inspire many of our children to take up a new instrument in the near future. It left everyone with a spring in their step and a new-found vigour for a Monday morning. You might even say that everyone felt fan-jazz-tic.

If you like the sound of Leo and would like to hear more, do look him up on Apple Music and Spotify - Leo Richardson Quartet.

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