JAM Magazine: December/January 2000 Issue: A Very Hip Field Trip

A Very Hip Field Trip

Thanks to former KC Chief Pellom McDaniels, his Arts for Smarts program, and the KC Jazz Ambassadors, two lucky Paseo Academy students were able to hear (and even hang with) some of the world's greatest jazz musicians this fall.

On October 16 and 17, Ryan Howard and Justin Brewster traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and all-star jazz concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They were accompanied by Paseo Academy jazz instructor Clarence Smith and Down Beat magazine's Special Projects Director Tom Alexios.

"Such a trip has immense educational and cultural benefits," Smith said. "And it's a great way to balance school studies and related travel experiences. Also, because we stayed in the same hotel as many of the featured musicians, the kids were able to meet and talk with T.S. Monk, Herbie Hancock and Grover Washington, Jr., among others. That was a real bonus."

Alexios, who is also the KCJA Jazz Education Director, found the trip to be enjoyable as well.

"I really like working with Clarence Smith and the Paseo Academy. We are currently making plans for another trip, this time to New Orleans for the January IAJE convention. And there is a possible travel opportunity back to the Kennedy Center in May for the Smithsonian Jazz Masterwork Orchestra's tribute to Mary Lou Williams."

As far as the competition and all-star concert, Howard and Brewster were indeed in the presence of some stellar jazz talent. The judges were Geri Allen, Herbie Hancock, Danilo Perez, Eric Reed and Cedar Walton (the backup band assisting competitors included Gene Jackson and Christian McBride), and the concert, hosted by Bill Cosby and Billy Dee Williams, featured such headliners as Michael Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Lou Rawls, Diane Reeves, Patrice Rushen, Arturo Sandoval, Wayne Shorter and Stevie Wonder. Vice president Al Gore presented a check for $20,000 to Eric Davis, the competition winner, and wife Tipper presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Herbie Hancock.

"Both Justin and Ryan really enjoyed the trip," said Alexios. "And it had special significance for Ryan; it was his first time on a plane!"

The event was taped by BET and will be broadcast at a date TBA.

---Mike Metheny

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		A Very Hip Field Trip Thanks to former KC Chief Pellom McDaniels, his Arts for Smarts program, and the KC Jazz Ambassadors, two lucky Paseo Academy students were able to hear (and even hang with) some of the world's greatest jazz musicians this fall. On October 16 and 17, Ryan Howard and Justin Brewster traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and all-star jazz concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They were accompanied by Paseo Academy jazz instructor Clarence Smith and Down Beat magazine's Special Projects Director Tom Alexios. "Such a trip has immense educational and cultural benefits," Smith said. "And it's a great way to balance school studies and related travel experiences. Also, because we stayed in the same hotel as many of the featured musicians, the kids were able to meet and talk with T.S. Monk, Herbie Hancock and Grover Washington, Jr., among others. That was a real bonus." Alexios, who is also the KCJA Jazz Education Director, found the trip to be enjoyable as well. "I really like working with Clarence Smith and the Paseo Academy. We are currently making plans for another trip, this time to New Orleans for the January IAJE convention. And there is a possible travel opportunity back to the Kennedy Center in May for the Smithsonian Jazz Masterwork Orchestra's tribute to Mary Lou Williams." As far as the competition and all-star concert, Howard and Brewster were indeed in the presence of some stellar jazz talent. The judges were Geri Allen, Herbie Hancock, Danilo Perez, Eric Reed and Cedar Walton (the backup band assisting competitors included Gene Jackson and Christian McBride), and the concert, hosted by Bill Cosby and Billy Dee Williams, featured such headliners as Michael Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Lou Rawls, Diane Reeves, Patrice Rushen, Arturo Sandoval, Wayne Shorter and Stevie Wonder. Vice president Al Gore presented a check for $20,000 to Eric Davis, the competition winner, and wife Tipper presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Herbie Hancock. "Both Justin and Ryan really enjoyed the trip," said Alexios. "And it had special significance for Ryan; it was his first time on a plane!" The event was taped by BET and will be broadcast at a date TBA. ---Mike Metheny RETURN TO DEC/JAN. 2000 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.