BMS Jazz Night

Join Us For Jazz Night!

Friday, May 19, 2023, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

126 St Felix St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

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We're deep into jazz. You dig?

Are you ready to get your jazz on? Look no further than Brooklyn Music School's Jazz Night! You might just sense the influence of some of the most famous jazz musicians who have called this community and Fort Greene home. Back in the 80s and 90s, Fort Greene was a cultural hub for experimental musicians and artists to collaborate and gain inspiration from one another. Jazz clubs were aplenty during that time, providing a platform for artists to perfect their craft. 

Today, we continue this tradition with the new BMS event Jazz Night, which features performances that pay tribute to Fort Greene's rich jazz history. 

You'll be in good company because some of the greats lived right here on St. Felix Street. Iconic musicians such as Betty Carter, a jazz vocalist recognized for her unique vocal style, used to live across the street from the school and had long supported BMS. Gary Bartz, a two-time Grammy Award-winning musician, used to live on St Felix's next block. Bill Lee, a jazz bassist who composed music for films such as She's Gotta Have It and Do the Right Thing, still lives in the greater Fort Greene neighborhood. Cecil Taylor, a pioneer of "free jazz," lived around the corner on Fort Greene Place until his death in 2018. He was always in the neighborhood, ready to talk music. And, Henry Threadgill, similarly pushed the boundaries of the genre, incorporating everything from avant-garde classical music to African and Indian rhythms, was also once a resident. 

We take great pride in our small corner of Brooklyn and so if you’re looking for some great jazz, we promise Jazz Night will not disappoint. Prepare to tap your feet and move along to BMS student ensembles of all ages; this is one night you won't want to miss.

#BMSJazz

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BMS Backstage: Celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month

BMS Backstage

BMS Backstage is a new monthly series that takes our community behind the scenes and on a journey through BMS, the history, the community and by celebrating historical and contemporary aspects of music and the performing arts . Anika Rahman our new and brilliant marketing intern explores contemporary and historical subjects through the lens of the building, programming, events and our local and global community connections.

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Prepare yourself as April approaches for a beautiful trifecta of cherry blossoms, rainy days, and of course, Jazz Appreciation Month.  It's the perfect time to honor and acknowledge the important contribution jazz music has made to American society and culture. Jazz is often referred to as America’s “original art form,” and for good reason. From its roots in fashion to its profound impact on modern music, jazz has become an iconic part of our musical tradition. This month, let's take a closer look at some of the legendary figures who have helped shape this beloved genre and continue to inspire us today.

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong's name is interwoven with jazz. His contributions to the genre are enormous, and he is frequently credited with shaping it into what it is today. Armstrong's career spanned five decades, during which he established himself as a pivotal figure in jazz as both a trumpeter and a vocalist. With his distinctive and original playing technique, he impacted innumerable performers and altered the sound of jazz. Armstrong's work was distinguished by his unrivaled virtuosity, passionate improvisations, and ability to pour emotion and heart into his performances. His approach was largely influenced by the cornet and trumpet artists of New Orleans. His contributions to jazz go far beyond his music, as he opened the path for subsequent generations of jazz performers and introduced the genre to mainstream audiences worldwide. Simply said, Louis Armstrong left an everlasting influence on jazz, and his legacy will continue to inspire and inform jazz players for centuries to come.

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington was a jazz music pioneer, and his legacy has left an enduring impact on the genre. Ellington, who was born in Washington, D.C. in 1899, began his career as a pianist but quickly recruited a collection of players around him to establish the Duke Ellington Orchestra, which went on to become one of the most influential bands in jazz history. The orchestra has hosted many great jazz players throughout the years, including Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Ben Webster, Harry Carney, and Jimmy Blanton. Ellington was well-known for his clever and intricate arrangements, and songs such as "Take the A Train" and "Mood Indigo'' became jazz standards that are still played and cherished today. Ellington's influence can be heard in the work of innumerable musicians who came after him, and his influence on American society cannot be exaggerated. His music is as vital now as it was when he initially made waves in the jazz field, and his legacy will live on for future generations.

Ella Fitzgerald

Few musicians in history have had the same impact on music as Ella Fitzgerald. Her iconic flair and vast repertoire helped to redefine the genre of jazz. At the age of seventeen, she launched her career by winning Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre. There, she met other musicians who encouraged her to compete in other talent contests. In 1935, Fitzgerald was given the opportunity to perform with the Tiny Bradshaw Band at the Harlem Opera House. There she met Chick Webb, the drummer and band leader. Webb had already hired a male lead singer, but he invited her to join the band on a trial basis. They were such a success that she was granted a permanent position in the band shortly after. From there, she went on to record around 2000 original songs, making history with her improvisational jazz style. While paying homage to many musical heroes of history, she also found unique success in co-writing her material in songs like "I Wished on the Moon”. For any fan of jazz music, it's impossible to ignore Ella Fitzgerald’s immense impact on history; an unforgettable figure with undeniable talent who forever changed how we hear the world.

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday is a pivotal figure in the history of jazz music, leaving a significant impact and influencing many later artists. She was renowned for her passionate sound, which integrated elements of blues, improvisation, and infectious rhythms. Holiday first made a name for herself with hit songs like "God Bless the Child” and "Them There Eyes." This success gave her a platform to address issues plaguing African Americans at the time. Holiday was a pivotal figure in American history, not only because she was one of the few black and female figures at the time in a predominantly white and male-dominated music scene, but also because she made significant artistic contributions to later music. Her distinct sound has directly influenced hundreds of modern singer-songwriters, and her influence on the industry will be felt for the rest of time.

Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker, also known as the "Bird," was a talented jazz saxophonist and composer. With the advent of bebop, which was unique from dance or swing, he forever altered the performance and composition of jazz music. Parker's virtuoso saxophone playing and avant-garde approach to improvisation rapidly established him as a jazz icon. His legacy lives on not just via his music, but also through his influence on the jazz community. His passion for his art and experiments with complicated chord progressions and melodic lines expanded the scope of jazz music. Even long after his death, Charlie Parker's impact on jazz music and culture is felt around the world.

Nina Simone

Nina Simone is regarded as one of the most influential jazz vocalists and songwriters of all time. Simone grew up in Tyron, North Carolina, as the daughter of two amateur musicians. She began playing the piano at the age of three at her parent's church. After high school, Simone attended the Juilliard School of Performing Arts to study piano. She later applied to the Curtis School of Music in Philadelphia, but the school turned her down because of her race. Simone began playing piano in local bars to make ends meet; at several of these venues, she was also required to sing. Her polished piano abilities and sultry voice soon caught the attention of the record industry. During her career, Simone recorded several classic albums, including 'Little Girl Blue' and 'Nina Simone at Town Hall', proving the potency of her powerful lyrics. Her soulful, jazz-influenced style often delved into history and social issues in such a way that was both beautiful and thought-provoking. She highlighted traditional African American music during her performances, creating strong ties between history and present-day ideals. Nina Simone's pioneering exploration of jazz as an avenue for exploring history, themes of oppression, and identity set the stage for modern interpretations, ensuring that future generations can use music as a tool for social justice.

The month of April is a wonderful time to celebrate jazz, reflect deeply on the genre's musical giants, and appreciate the contributions they made to this musical style. These musicians have made significant contributions to the development of jazz, from Louis Armstrong's cornet playing to Duke Ellington's dynamic compositions. Let's keep their music alive by paying homage to their timeless work as we enter another month of celebrating this cherished genre.

May 6: Struttin' with some BBQ

Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents an afternoon of Burnin’ Jazz and Hot Barbecue, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, a fundraiser for the BMS Jazz Department, on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3pm at the Brooklyn Music School Playhouse, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are $30 ($75 for family tickets)

Titled after a composition by Louis Armstrong and Lilian Hardin, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue will help support the rapidly blossoming Brooklyn Music School (BMS) Jazz Department.  It’s a chance to enjoy the down-home feel of southern food, swinging music, and jazz community that will make anyone think they’ve been transported straight to New Orleans, all the while helping support Jazz at BMS.

The afternoon will feature performances by all three of the BMS Student Jazz Ensembles, the BMS Jazz Faculty Ensemble, and an appearance by the world-renowned jazz drummer and BMS Artistic Advisory Board Member Dr. Victor Lewis.  Victor’s dynamic drumming style and musical personality have supported influential bandleaders from Dexter Gordon and Woody Shaw to David Sanborn.  He co-leads the groundbreaking band “Horizon” with Bobby Watson and has been on faculty at Rutgers University Mason School of the Arts for over 14 years.

Like those New Orleans “Magnolias in bloom,” the BMS Jazz Department has undergone incredible growth over the last five years. Having added two student Jazz Ensembles and recently completed our fifth annual BMS Middle School Jazz Festival, we are looking forward to our third BMS Summer Jazz Workshop, our third FAB/BMS Fall Jazz Faculty series, and will include a Jazz Intensive as part of this year’s BMS Summer Institute.

Contributions will help the BMS Jazz Department by providing support for our Summer Jazz Workshop, the Middle School Jazz Festival, as well as scholarships for deserving students who would otherwise not be able to participate in our programs.

With influential musicians like Eric Dolphy and Gary Bartz once living down the street the Brooklyn Music School has long been surrounded by the sound of jazz in its location in the heart of Fort Greene. The great vocalist Betty Carter lived across the street and pianist Cecil Taylor is still living around the corner. Over the years BMS has been graced with their music as well as performances by saxophonists Jimmy Heath (an NEA Jazz Master), Dewey Redman, and Sherman Irby - trombonist Robin Eubanks, and most recently trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.

Don’t miss this wondrous opportunity to help support the BMS Jazz Community while having a HOT TIME! with a great meal. GUARANTEED!