The Jazz Drama Program

Holding the Torch for Liberty Performance at Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest

Kirk Imamura — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 17:12:42 +0000

Songs from Holding the Torch for Liberty was performed at the Hartung Theater at the University of Idaho in Moscow on February 23, 2013 as part of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival .

More Photos from Durham High’s Production of Nora’s Ark in UK

Kirk Imamura — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:53:03 +0000

Here are more photos from the production of Nora’s Ark, the jazz musical, performed by Durham High School in the UK in cooperation with a few other schools on January 28, 2013.

Arts are Basic Residencey at Doane College

Kirk Imamura — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 03:04:18 +0000

Eli Yamin and Evan Christopher just completed a week-long residency at Doane College in Nebraska as part of their Arts Are Basic program. The two jazz musicians gave a seminar to 150 music majors from Doane College. Pictured above are several students who boldly joined Eli onstage to sing songs from Holding the Torch for Liberty, the jazz musical, about women’s suffrage. Eli and Evan also presented a premiere concert of “Heroes of Jazz” at Doane College’s Heckman Auditorium on February 7th and February 8th.

Nora’s Ark performed in Durham City, UK

Kirk Imamura — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 04:21:48 +0000

Seven schools took to the stage to perform Nora’s Ark, the jazz musical, at the Gala Theatre, in Durham City in the UK on January 28, 2013. The schools involved were: Durham High School for Girls, Howletch Lane Primary, Ouston Junior, Finchale Primary, Bowburn Junior, Shincliffe CofE Primary and Acre Rigg Junior.

More than 100 youngsters were part of a one-night only production. The show was staged following just two days of large-scale rehearsals.

High School headmistress Lynne Renwick said: “Nora’s Ark is a marvellous opportunity for Durham High School for Girls to work in partnership with local primary schools and give young people the opportunity to perform in a professional theatre.”

Summer Gala a Great Success!

Kirk Imamura — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 02:19:59 +0000

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our Gala Chair, Kristy Nguyen, and everyone supporting her, the Summer Gala, held at Urban Stages on June 3, was a great success. We raised close to seven thousand dollars for the cause and more importantly had a great celebration and gathering with all generations in celebration of Holding the Torch for Liberty and energizing everyone with the possibilities for the future.

The students gave a magnificent performance, showing even more progress and growth since they participated in the CD recording session. We heard words of great eloquence from our special guest Mercedes Ellington, a gracious and inspiring acceptance from our Jazz Masters Award recipient, Dr. Rodriguez, and were joined by the incomparable Roberta Flack! What an amazing afternoon it was.

Again, thank you everyone for your support for our cause. Let’s keep this ball rolling–more kids — more jazz — more stories — stronger communities.

Summer Gala Announced

Kirk Imamura — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:36:43 +0000

The Jazz Drama Program Summer Gala Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2012
The Jazz Drama Program
Eli Yamin, Artistic Director

Click image for high res version

To listen to the music from the new CD

The Jazz Drama Program Summer Gala
Sunday, June 3, 2-5 pm
Urban Stages, NYC

Who/What:

A celebration of the work of The Jazz Drama Program with Artistic Director Eli Yamin, special guest Mercedes Ellington and honoring Dr. William Rodriguez, Latin Jazz Pianist, Principal and founder of Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music.

Featuring a live performance of scenes and songs from Holding the Torch for Liberty, the jazz musical about women’s suffrage by Eli Yamin and Clifford Carlson, with choreography by Shireen Dickson and performed by rising stars from Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music.

Refreshments and a champagne toast!

Tickets to this exclusive event are extremely limited and can be purchased for $100 at www.thejazzdramaprogram.org. Refreshments will be served before and after the performance and each ticket holder will receive a copy of the Cast CD of Holding the Torch for Liberty, signed by the authors.

Click image for high res version

About the Cast CD of Holding the Torch for Liberty:

Professional jazz musicians from New Orleans, Columbia University and Jazz at Lincoln Center combine forces with bright young talent from Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music to record a CD of Holding the Torch for Liberty, the jazz musical about women’s suffrage. With story, music and lyrics by jazz musician Eli Yamin and teacher Clifford Carlson, this musical uses ragtime, classic blues and New Orleans style music to tell the story of women fighting for and winning the right to vote in 1920.

About The Jazz Drama Program:

The Jazz Drama Program is the non-profit company founded in 2003 to bring jazz to young people and get them involved. With over 64 performances in 4 states and 2 countries and licensing of the show available through Theatrical Rights Worldwide, The Jazz Drama Program is poised to make Holding the Torch for Liberty a national sensation through community based productions around the U.S. and abroad in this presidential election year.

“The hippest move in jazz education, ever.”
- JazzTimes

“Thank you Eli for the wonderful experience you have allowed our students to have with the Jazz Drama Program and the recording at Avatar Studios. I share your vision and dream to have students experience music and apply its force to guide them through life.”
- Dr. William Rodriguez, Principal Celia Cruz H.S.

“Pianist Eli Yamin is a communicator who believes jazz can foster a sense of community. His work is expansive and extroverted, populist in the best sense.”
- George Kanzler, All About Jazz New York

“I have to congratulate you … for your creative approach.”
- Dave Brubeck, pianist/composer

The Summer Gala

When: Sunday, June 3, 2pm

Where: Urban Stages
259 West 30th Street (bet 7th and 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001

How: Tickets are $100 for reception and performance, $75 is tax-deductible contribution to The Jazz Drama Program, a 501 c3 non profit organization.

For more information: The Jazz Drama Program
Phone 917-640-3377 or email: info@thejazzdramaprogram.org

Holding the Torch for Liberty Sessions: Before and After

Kirk Imamura — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:25:12 +0000

We began rehearsals at Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music on October 24th and continued weekly for seven weeks leading up to the recording session at Avatar on December 11.

It was amazing to watch the transformation of the students. They went from talented youngsters to poised pros in such a short span of time. Teacher Lisa Gwasda writes, “We all had such an amazing experience, and I thank you for choosing my students and for giving us this rare opportunity! We are all still raving about it! I look forward to working together in the future!!”

This is the Jazz Drama Program in action. Creativity, opportunity, jazz!

Kickstarter Campaign Launched to Record Holding the Torch for Liberty

Kirk Imamura — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:21:18 +0000

A Kickstarter campaign was launched to record a jazz musical called Holding the Torch for Liberty, the story of the fight for women’s suffrage. Holding the Torch for Liberty retells the epic true story of the battle that women in this country waged to win the right to vote. It is an immensely important historical event that few children know about. The original score has a ragtime, New Orleans and early swing feel. Once the recording is complete, children around the world will have a greater opportunity to learn about jazz music, democracy, and the idea of equality by participating in a unique theatrical experience.

The funds we need will be used to pay for musicians including a children’s choir, vocal coaches, rehearsals, recording and mastering expenses and CD artwork & production. 35 musical tracks will be recorded featuring New Orleans clarinet sensation Evan Christopher, violinist Sara Caswell, trombonist Chris Washburne, bassist Nicki Parrot, drummer Stefan Schatz and pianist Eli Yamin. Like the CD recording of Nora’s Ark, this fully produced recording will serve as a CD reference for all future productions in schools and arts venues around the world. The recorded instrumental versions will serve as music for productions if groups do not have a live band accompanying the actors / singers.

We need your support to reach our goal of raising $8,000 by December 31, 2011. Through Kickstarter, there are many fun rewards associated with the amount you donate. Please help spread the word and donate today. Thank you.

Video from Montenegro Production of Nora’s Ark

Kirk Imamura — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:48:00 +0000

The Montenegro production of Nora’s Ark was videotaped and performance footage is now available to view. Check out scenes from the production where main numbers from the play are performed.

Montenegro Premiere of Nora’s Ark

Kirk Imamura — Thu, 05 May 2011 05:22:15 +0000

What an unbelievable week we had in Montenegro at Jazz Art Jam, celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month, a co-production with Jazz Art Montenegro and The Jazz Drama Program with support from the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro, the municipality and Porto Montenegro. I never dreamed that this production of Nora’s Ark could take off the way it did. The kids were fantastic! 40 students from the Middle School for Music, 20 students from the High School for Music and 8 ballet dancers made the show come alive. When I arrived all the kids were singing the songs from memory with great gusto and spirit. We spent the days staging and refining the music while integrating ballet dancers into the instrumental solo breaks and narration in English and Montenegrin. The spirit of jazz is alive and well in Montenegro!
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