The Bushnell’s JAZZicians Perform at Local Fundraiser Today, 5/24

The Noah Webster JAZZicians, one of several education programs at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, will participate in the entertainment portion of Literacy: A Passport to the World, the Fifth Annual Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice (GHICEJ) Fundraiser. Comprised of 18 students from grades 5-8, the JAZZicians are slated to perform from 5:45-6:15 p.m. and will perform a selection of jazz standards, as well as contemporary tunes. 

The GHICEJ fundraiser will be held today, May 24, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the Pond House Café in West Hartford. Hosted by Dennis House and Kara Sundlun, the evening will include entertainment, silent auction, refreshments and more. Tickets cost $35.00 per person and can be purchased at the door or online at www.hartfordinterfaith.org. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Noah Webster and Rawson schools. 

The Noah Webster JAZZician program is a scholarship program for exceptional instrumentalists who attend Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School. Students are selected annually by Noah Webster music teacher, Kathy Peet, based on their musical ability, their proven responsibility and diligence in the classroom and their enthusiasm for their continued growth in the instrument they study. 

Those chosen to be JAZZicians receive weekly private or group instrumental lessons while being exposed to jazz techniques, as well as exposure to jazz music through master classes and concerts throughout the year. Teachers include Larry Gareau (brass), Kris Jensen (winds) and Jocelyn Pleasant (percussion). Since the 2006-2007 school year, the program has been made possible by a generous donation from Hartford resident Valerie Bryan.