Educational, but just plain fun too … That’s the program that Essex Winter Series Jazz Artistic Advisor Jeff Barnhart and a group of talented musicians brought to New London grade schools in December (2025). Jazz musicians who joined Jeff (piano, vocals) were his wife Anne Barnhart (flute, vocals), Jim Fryer (trombone, euphonium, vocals), Dan Levinson (clarinet, alto and soprano saxophones), Lou Bocciarelli (bass), and Sal Ranniello (drums).
The information shared about musicians and how each instrument plays its part in the whole was fascinating to the children and so many enjoyed the performances. Not your traditional jazz tune, but “Feliz Navidad” was a hit with the young audience. “When the Saints Go Marching In” and clapping rhytms brought delightful participation.
We at EWS are very pleased to be able to bring this outreach to local schools, and sincerely thank The Kitchings Family Foundation for its grant support to bring such a meaningful opportunity to our community’s young folks.