a new composition

1. "Beyond The Blackberry Patch" a new composition

2. "Beyond The Blackberry Patch" • A commissioned composition • Co-Written by • Students of the Columbus City Schools • with composer Wycliffe Gordon • Composed for 10 professional musicians

3. Beyond the Blackberry Patch • To reflect the research of students, focused on the King Lincoln District on the Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio • To be premiered at the newly renovated Lincoln Theatre in February 2011

4. Inspired by The writings of Anna Bishop The art of AminahRobinson and Elijah Pierce The music of Sweets Edison, Rashaan Roland Kirk Rusty Bryant & Hank Marr The photography of Kojo Kamau & Candice Watkins The lives of theReverends Poindexter and Hale The stories of Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Curry, Mrs. Terry, Mrs. WellsandMrs. Blackwell and the book “Beyond Poindexter Village: The Blackberry Patch”

5. The Books of Anna BishopSharing the Past / Highlighting the Legend The Blackberry Patch book’s chapters focus on: The Great Migration Wrong Impressions The Real Thing Poindexter Village Five Helpful Ladies East Market Aminah: Artist/Historian From Blackberries to Rose Blushes Hucksters Everyday Play Depression Stories Power of the Black Church Pleasure Places Nostalgia Memories

6. The King Lincoln District (KLD) With a bold history As a economically and culturally vibrant Black Community Known During the Great Migration as the Blackberry Patch During the 40s, 50s and 60s as the Cradle of Jazz Since the 1990s as the King Lincoln District

7. The story of this neighborhood is at a crossroads of then, now and next… Youth awareness of the past, present and future can boost the rejuvenation of their neighborhood. Seven schools are invited to participate.

8. The Process Jazz is a process in which musicians communicate within a structure that allows for expressing a personal point of view on a common topic. This project will be modeled after the jazz process. The Director of Jazz In Schools for the Jazz Arts Group will provide the structure and the schools will be given the opportunity to study the common subject, specifically - The King Lincoln Neighborhood - from their individual view points, levels of interest and experience. Mr. Gordon will then translate the students’ work into a composition for professional jazz musicians to be performed at the Lincoln Theatre in February 2011.

9. Jazz Academy – Jazz In Schools Student Research King Lincoln Neighborhood Arts Impact Middle School Trevitt Elementary Beatty ParkElementary Monroe Middle School East High School Ft. Hayes Educational Center Champion Middle School Artist In Residence Composer Wycliffe Gordon Composition and Performance BEYOND THE BLACKBERRY PATCH

10. Student Research This arts integrated project will focus on social studies, English language arts and fine arts. Each school is invited to participate with their own voice, on an individual level, based on area of interest. This project provides all involved schools with practical applications for their 2009-10 focus onrelationships-relevance-rigor.

11. Students created Ohio Historical Society Markers for the Near East Side in 2006-07 Monroe has been fully invested in this project since February 2009; The instrumental music students participated in the Jazz Arts Group’s Making Choices programs; The art students created and installed public art in a garden sponsored by Trinity Baptist; The arts team received a Dream Grant (a Columbus City School grant) to fund Blackberry Patch projects during the 2009-10 school year; The visual art teacher is interested in the work of Aminah Robinson and Elijah Pierce. The music teacher is interested in documentary work focused on musicians Monroe Middle School

12. The social studies students at Ft. Hayes High School began research in March of 2009 with a project entitled The Evolution of a Neighborhood; The project included guest speakers and working the Ohio Historical Society’s The Soul exhibit; The career center film students have been involved since February 2009, making video interviews of community leaders; It is the intention of this department to fully document the entire process of the studies of the students and to include their work in a multi-media presentation in February 2011. Ft. Hayes Metropolitan Education Center

13. Evolution of a NeighborhoodFt. Hayes high school students

14. AIMS has been invested since April 2009; During the 2008-09 school year, the Arts Team teachers introduced the students to artists who come from the King Lincoln District; Gene Walker visited the school with Jim Masters in April 2009; The team received a Dream Grant to fund a direct relationship with the King Arts Complex during the 2009-2010 school year. Arts Impact Middle School

15. Champion Middle School • Selected students at Champion Middle School will be engaging in both the neighborhood’s past, present and future AND their own personal past, present and future. • Current plans are to investigate their history and project into their futures with aural projects recorded at the Jazz Academy, then written, then reflected in their own Hip Hop/Jazz tunes. • Their tunes will be shared with Mr. Gordon as inspiration for his work.

16. The East High instrumental students will be introduced to the Jazz Academy in a working session with Bobby Floyd and Steve Grier; They will be in direct contact with Mr. Gordon during the NEA granted project, Hot Five-Hot Seven Additional staff from the school will be invited to participate East High

17. Artist in Residence: Wycliffe Gordon As a guest artist with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, he has become a local favorite with the audiences and students from the area The students will produce results of their research in ways in which they can share their knowledge with Mr. Gordon.

18. The Composition Mr. Gordon will then translate their ideas and findings into a musical composition. He will explain his process and creative thoughts to the students. “Beyond Poindexter Village” was written in chapters/sections. Mr. Gordon’s work will also have sections/movements that reflect the complicated past, present and future of the neighborhood. As the students’ work proceeds, the Director of Jazz In Schools will monitor progress and keep in contact with Mr. Gordon. Mr. Gordon will interact with the students in a variety of ways ■on-site visits ■ web visits ■ emails and other technology

19. Wycliffe Gordon, the performer… enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. received the Jazz Journalists Association 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002 and 2001 Award for Trombonist of the Year, and the Jazz Journalists Association 2000 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Trombone.

20. Wycliffe Gordon, the educator… is rapidly becoming one of America’s most persuasive and committed music educators, and currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Arts Program at Manhattan School of Music works with young musicians and audiences from elementary schools to universities all over the world is extensive, and includes master classes, clinics, workshops, children’s concerts and lectures — powerful evidence of his unique ability to relate musically to people of all ages is the youngest member of the U.S. Statesmen of Jazz, and in many tour performances has served and continues to serve as a musical ambassador for the U.S. State Department.

21. Wycliffe Gordon, the composer… was commissioned by the Brass Band of Battle Creek in March 2004 to compose "I Saw the Light," a musical tribute to Muhammad Ali which serves as a model for our “Beyond the Blackberry Patch” was commissioned to compose a vibrant new score for the 1925 classic silent film "Body and Soul" (notable as the screen debut of Paul Robeson), which was premiered by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. has two arrangements featured as a part of the PBS series "Marsalis on Music" has premieres of compositions for a variety of ensembles both in the United States and internationally.

22. Benefits For the teachers Occasions to address CCS content standards in “real life” perspectives Community outreach opportunities The use of 21st century learning skills, including ■technology■ research ■ creativity

23. Benefits For the students A life-long appreciation for community and the role the arts play in a healthy neighborhood The opportunity to make higher-level thinking connections between school and community Opportunities to work with professional artists

24. Benefits The school district Connects seamlessly to best practices focused on ■ relationships ■ relevance ■ rigor The opportunity to build upon their recent investment in facilities by being engaged in the process of neighborhood rejuvenation Special communications and interaction between buildings: elementary, middle, high, career and special needs Special communications and interaction with the business and political communities

25. Benefits • For the community • The ability to experience the creative process and to engage with world-class performing artists • Opportunities to share their stories with the young people • Action toward balancing the hope of the business community with the current expectations of the neighborhood’s teenagers

26. Benefits For the Jazz Arts Group The opportunity to add depth to our promise to engage the community in the activities of the Jazz Academy in the Lincoln Theatre complex The opportunity to highlight the jazz influence The ability to provide the students with the experience of working with a world-class resident artist

27. Jazz Arts Group Jazz In Schools values The power of creativity toward productivity The power of inter-generational connections Art as a means of reflecting our culture Art as a positive influence on our day-to-day quality of life Jazz as a thoughtful process that is inclusion and supportive

28. Call to Action We want to see this community thrive We are seeking support To recognize and value the potential in this project To assist in growing financial support for this project To add your creative voice to this project We want to move beyond the conversation!

29. Contact: Judy Shafer Director, Jazz In Schools Jazz Arts Group / Jazz Academy jrs@jazzartsgroup.org 614-205-7779

30. a step toward rebirth "Beyond The Blackberry Patch"