April, 2025 Newsletter

Since returning to teaching, and into the music world as a whole, the end of April brings an international celebration that I’ve looked forward to annually for the past two years. I’m speaking of International Jazz Day. I’ve decided this year to dedicate a section in this months newsletter to the event for those who are unaware of the event, and for those who may have an interest in jazz music and may also not be aware of the event. The end of April also brings another important milestone for us here….NICE(R) WEATHER!!! (Come on, you know you were wondering where the weather talk was). The shorts, flip-flops and school t-shirt have made their appearance multiple times this past week due to the weather, and looking into the first week of May, we are steady in the high teens…FINALLY!!!! My morning walks have been very pleasant, as has sitting on my porch while I read (except for the high winds last evening that forced me back into my house). Here’s what we have for this months newsletter…..

International Jazz Day
A New Piano For A Family of Students
Student Of The Month

International Jazz Day

International Jazz Day was first founded in 2011 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in co-operation with legendary jazz pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock, who also serves as an amabassador for the UNESCO and is also the chairman for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. Jazz Day is always celebrated annually on April 30th and also marks the conclusion of Jazz Appreciation month. It’s also a day, that in 2012, was welcomed officially into the United Nations General Assembly and is recognized on their official calendar.

Over 200 countries take part in International Jazz Day in their own ways in addition to a main Global Host Country. This year, the host country is Abu Dhabi. The host city includes educational and cultural importances of jazz in addition to a main feature concert that always includes some of the biggest names in jazz from around the world, including, Herbie Hancock, himself. The concerts are streamed online as well on the UNTV, UNESCO, the event’s main website, Facebook, YouTube and other sources to promote global participation. During the pandemic lockdown, the event was still carried out, but virtually, and the main concert was performed by the artists from all corners of the globe, playing together via remote feeds at the same time. In Canada, one of the main events that I listen to is hosted by JazzFM 91.1 from Toronto and includes performances by some of Canada’s best jazz musicians. Jazz may have originated in the United States, but Canada has produced some of the best jazz musicians in the world. I’m sure you have heard of Oscar Peterson?

So why is this an important day? The purpose of International Jazz Day is not only to celebrate the music, but also to promote the use of jazz in education, communication, and social change. Jazz has no language restrictions and no racial boundries. It’s a form of music that brings together musicians of all races and colour without prejudice. Even during some of the worst racially motivated events and years between 1920 to the late 1960’s, jazz musicians came together to record and perform, regardless of colour and race, and still do so today, through the music’s rhythms, emotions, improvisation and expression. Jazz bridges cultures and encourages inclusiveness in addition to allowing a player to express themself through the music and incorporate techniques specific to a culture or country.

For more information regarding International Jazz Day, you can check out the main website at https://jazzday.com and if you are interested in learning more about the history of jazz, the mini series Ken Burns: Jazz is an absolutely amazing look into the history of the music, and a series that I can’t recommend enough. I just completed what is probably my 10th watch of the series. First aired in 2001, the PBS 10-part series includes archived footage, interviews and stories from the best jazz musicians in history, and of course wonderful music. It starts back at the very beginnings of Jazz during slavery in the late 1800’s, through both World Wars, the great depression, and focuses on all eras of jazz including the Swing Era, Bee-bop era and into modern jazz that we have now, or at least at the time it aired in 2001.

A New Piano For A Family of Students

One of my favourite moments as a music educator is when my students get new instruments. The instruments can be brand new or ‘new-to-them’. It’s something I always like to feature in the newsletters and it is something that has been happening alot lately with some of my students. It’s fun for me to see their excitement and, well, I also get to play on the new instruments. Hehehe. In April, one of my ‘families of four’ that I teach, upgraded from their accoutic piano that has been in the family for close to 100 years, to a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano. Big shout-out to Mom, Ashley, for finding an incredibly well-maintained instrument to upgrade to!!

Congrats to: Priya, Arie, Bence and Atley!!!!

Priya and Bence (Left) with Arie and Atley (Right) standing at their new Yamaha Clavinova Piano

Student Of The Month

Atley – Student Of The Month – April, 2025

Our Student Of The Month for April, 2025, is Atley!!

Atley, like her 3 siblings, has been studying piano with me and she has been learning from the Music For Little Mozarts series of books that follow the adventures of, Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear, as they go on a musical journey. Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear, with some of their other music friends, make an appearance at each of Atley’s lessons and in a previous newsletter we’ve seen her have a sleep-over with them! In April, Atley completed the first lesson book of the series and has moved onto the second lesson book with me and the music friends!! Atley loves choosing puppy stickers most times when she completes songs, and every week she needs to remind me, “You’re bald”.

Atley received her framed Student Of The Month certificate, and is featured in this months newsletter as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and on the school website when the newsletter is posted there.

Congrats, Atley!!

Coda

I’m closing out this months newsletter with a few more photos of Atley, our Student of The Month. Atley wanted a party with me and the music friends to celebrate the completion of the first lesson book, and with the help of Mom, Ashley, I arrived to a decorated piano, complete with ultra-violet lights and a dressed up, Atley. Have a great rest of the week, and I’ll see you in lessons!!