Jazz inspires and creates a sense of community.
Between musicians, certainly. But also between the musicians and their audience.
That’s why we’ve made working with young jazz musicians an important part of our mission.
Playing an instrument improves listening skills, increases discipline and time-management skills, improves social skills and so much more. Jazz takes all of those benefits a step further by teaching improvisation – in other words, openness, flexibility and personal expression.
The Kicks Band’s high school residencies provide a meaningful jazz arts experience for students. Each residency offers instrument-based master classes taught by Kicks musicians, Kicks/student side-by-side workshop and a history of jazz program for the community, with a performance by the Kicks Band.
And our annual spring All-City High School Jazz Concerts promotes peer interaction and collaboration between the high school jazz band musicians – all while wowing the audience with the quality of the students’ performances.