Kinderjazz
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Christobel and David Llewellyn |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Live musical performances, albums |
| Website | www |
Kinderjazz is a 12-member big band created in 1997 by Christobel and David Llewellyn with the aim of inspiring young children through live musical performances.[1] As the sole producer and an expert in music education, Christobel Llewellyn articulates Kinderjazz’s purpose as immersing children in the sounds of acoustic instruments performing diverse rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and solos to stimulate their creativity, encourage spontaneity, and support brain development. The ensemble has predominantly performed throughout New South Wales, particularly in Sydney, where it has sold out 30 shows at the Sydney Opera House.
With seven albums released, Kinderjazz was also featured on the 2010 Putumayo's Jazz Playground compilation.[2] The compositions and lyrics are crafted by David Llewellyn, with arrangements contributed by musicians such as Arthur Greenslade, Andrew Robertson, Andrew Heading, and Bill Motzing. The band’s instrumentation features two vocalists, two alto saxophones, a tenor saxophone, two trumpets, trombone, piano, double bass, drums, and congas.
History
The inception of Kinderjazz by Christobel and David Llewellyn was driven by a desire to familiarize young audiences with jazz orchestra instruments.[3] Originally formed as a 10-piece group, the band expanded after encountering Latin percussionist Aykho Akhrif at Sydney’s Billy Hyde music store; his addition of congas brought new Latin-inspired arrangements named in his honor. The twelfth member was introduced as a second trumpet player; Elizabeth Geyer briefly held this role before Tom McElvogue succeeded her.
In 1999, Kinderjazz temporarily grew to include 21 musicians for a unique performance. Subsequent recordings incorporated a baritone saxophone to enrich the ensemble's sound.
Following extensive performances at suburban venues, schools, and festivals around Sydney, Kinderjazz secured a booking in 2008 for 30 sold-out concerts at the Sydney Opera House under the Baby Proms Programme.[4] These events attracted audiences from across America and Europe.
Currently, Kinderjazz is working on television ventures and has recorded over 100 tracks. Their rich history is captured in a feature-length documentary produced by Filigree Films.[5]
Musical style and influences
Kinderjazz is known for its predominant Big Band approach, with their recordings and live shows encompassing a variety of genres including:
Their musical identity has been likened to a fusion of Duke Ellington and Sesame Street.
Band members
- Alto Saxophones: Glenn Henrich, Hylton Mowday, Vanessa Patterson
- Congas: Aykho Akhrif
- Double Bass: Brendan Clarke, Karl Dunnicliff, David Groves
- Drums: Jamie Castrisos, Paul Derricott, Martin Highland, Chad Wackerman
- Piano: Ray Alldridge, Kevin Hunt
- Tenor Saxophone: Jason Morphett
- Trumpets: Al Davey, Elizabeth Geyer, Mike Kenny, Tom McElvogue
- Vocals: Jessica O’Donoghue, George Washingmachine
Sound engineer
- Guy Dickerson
Guest members
- Tuba: Brendon Lukin
Trombone septet
- Nigel Crocker
- James Greening
- Ben Greenslade-Stanton
- Andrew Heading
- Lucian McGuinnes
- Bob McIvor
- Alex Silver
Discography
- Kinderjazz (1997)
- Latino Bambino (1998)
- Swing Right Through This Town (1999)
- Tu-Baba-Luma (2001)
- Gazooba (2004)
- The One For Me (2007)
- Teddy Bear's Picnic (2015)
The track 'Gazooba' was included in Putumayo's Jazz Playgrounds compilation CD released in 2010.
Awards
Putumayo's Jazz Playground CD received the Parent’s Choice GOLD Award in 2010.
Christobel Llewellyn, the group's founder, earned the title Australian Citizen of the Year in 2012 for her dedication to children's music education.
On 6 February 2016, CMG Global Radio placed 'Razzmatazz' at number one in their Top 20 All Indie/All Genres chart.
External links
- http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=4693
- http://thecalmcafe.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/australias-kinderjazz-redefines-childrens-music-with-big-band-colors/
- http://jazzkings.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/kinderjazz-push-boundaries-of-genre-with-unbreakable-joy/
- http://www.kinderjazz.com/christobel.html
- http://www.jazz.org.au/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=467&Itemid=84
- ↑ "Kinderjazz booking". Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ↑ "Jazz Playground". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ↑ Llewellyn, Christobel. "About Kinderjazz". Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ↑ Shand, John (25 October 2008). "Swing isn't just a thing found in playgrounds". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ↑ Oliver, Natalie. "Kinderjazz (the documentary)". Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.