Swing, boogie and dance as the playfulness of jazz gives these original versions of well known fairy tales new life! From the first sounds of Rick's bass and Louise’s voice, children are transported into a magical world where chocolate pudding tames a wolf, bears boogie and sing the blues, and trolls and goats scat and dance on tippy toes over bridges.

Cover art by Brian Pinkney

A new jazz CD for children by Louise Rogers and children.

Cover art by Chris Raschka
CD liner notes by Nat Hentoff.

Featuring such hits as:
Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka
So What by Miles Davis with lyrics by Louise Rogers
Now's The Time by Charlie Parker
Dat Dere by Bobby Timmons
I Thought About You by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johhnny Mercer
.... and so much more, including original songs and poems by Louise Rogers

Books, BeBop, Bass Lines and Blues  grades k - 4

Louise Rogers and Rick Strong have been performing for adults and children for over 15 years. They are active in the public schools doing workshops and residencies, and perform in the public libraries and parks of NYC. At night they are often featured in one of the jazz clubs of the city. Louise and Rick's CD "Bass-ically Speaking" is a duo of bass and voice. They have just finished a jazz CD for children entitled "Ella Fitzgerald Sang Bop Boo Day!" Information on both recordings is available at www.cdbaby.com/rogersstrong.

Workshop

Children explore the world of literature and jazz. They will delight in discovering the swinging nature of their favorite poems or stories by adding a bass line accompaniment, improvisation and even  incorporating the blues. The work and lives of jazz and blues greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and B.B. King will be introduced via stories (Charlie Parker Played Be Bop), poems (Ella Fitzgerald sang Bop Boo Day) and song (So What and What Did You Have for Breakfast). A Workshop is intended for one class at a time and is a very hands on experience.

Performance: Louise Rogers: Vocalist, Rick Strong: Bass

Exploring Books, BeBop, Bass Lines and Blues, Louise Rogers and Rick Strong will perform a variety of music that involves the audience. Children will hear the story “Charlie Parker Played Bebop” as well as some of their favorite poems come to life by adding a bass line and some vocal improvisation. Ms. Rogers will show the joy of scatting with poems about Ella Fitzgerald and will demonstrate how the voice is used to imitate instrumentalists like Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. “Animal Blues” and “What Did You have For Breakfast “ will involve the audience in a light hearted introduction to the blues that will get everyone thinking about the sad and yet funny characteristics of “Singing the Blues” Performances are intended for two or three classes. The audience is encouraged to participate in many of the songs.

Fees:

• One time workshop with Louise and Rick:  $350/day – no more than 3/day
• Performance: $600 for two performances     $900 for three performances

 Preschool Workshop

Young children will be BeBoppin' with Rick and Louise as they sing and swing their favorite songs and poems to the jazzy bass lines. Imitating barnyard animals and instruments, the children will be involved in vocal improvisation. Great jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis will be introduced via stories (Charlie Parker Played Be Bop), poems (Ella Fitzgerald sang Bop Boo Day) and song (So What and Animal Blues).

Endorsements

“Her innovative approach to exposing children to the joy and magic of jazz was truly exceptional.”
Pat Martinez - 4th grade teacher NYC Public School System

“She can pull an audience in, capture their hearts (and ears), and get everyone to sing along, learn, and have a good time.”
Jennifer Bernstein - 1st grade teacher NYC Public School System

“The students, without question, are hungry for this type of learning, and Louise has sated their appetite!”
Jenny Ander – Principal, Special Music School, NYC

“She taught our students  how to communicate with each other through scatting. The Children could not get enough of her creativity and excitement.”
Laura Lenes - 3rd grade teacher NYC Public School System

“Louise is a gifted teacher, with a very appealing, low-key way of involving the children in her work” 
Sean Hartley – Director, The Theater Wing, Kaufman Center

I have worked with Louise in schools for four years, and she is an excellent teaching artist and excellent performer. Her performances are interactive, and fully engage the students. They learn a tremendous amount about jazz and jazz artists from her. Her residency work is outstanding. She works well with the students and teachers, and is extremely responsible, creative, and sensitive to each child’s needs. Every school where she has performed and conducted workshops for us has highly praised her work.
Lois Kipnis, FOTA's Director of Arts Education.

“The kids had a lot of fun. The woman who led the songs in the first session, Louise, was amazing!  She worked really well with the kids and they loved the songs.”
Kirstin Anderson, music teacher, St. Aloysius

Articles:

Louise is featured in an article about Jazz Education in January 2007 issue of All About Jazz, New York edition. To download the issue as a PDF click HERE and once the issue is loaded look for the article: “Passing The Torch: Jazz In The Next Generation”

 Louise is also featured in an article titled “The Joy of Jazz Moves Them” in Newsday, Sunday, November 19^th 2006