Jazz at PS4 - Black History

The Agness Varis Jazz and Blues in the Schools Program preserves the legacy of jazz and blues y introducing this music to thousands of public school children, many of whom have never been exposed to it.  At the same time, it is actually preserving hundreds of the very pioneers who created it!  We are very thankful to the Jazz Foundation of America for sending legendary jazz musicians to our auditorium each month.

Recently, we were honored to hear from the Annette St. John Trio!  The band featured Vinnie Ruggieri on piano, Earl Sauls on bass and John Cooksey on drums.  Band members even took the time to answer questions from an audience of more than two hundred 3rd and 4th graders!  Brianna S. (401) really enjoyed seeing John Cooksey and wanted to know if he grew up playing the drums.  John replied, "When I was 8, I watched a show called the Little Rascals!  One of the characters played the drums and I wanted to do that".  Mr. Cooksey has been playing the drums for more than 50 years!

Special thanks to Will Glass from the Jazz Foundation for organizing all of the visits by these great artists!  Take a look at some photos from our two most recent jazz assemblies.

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