Youngsters key lesson in jazz

Youngsters from seven primary schools took part in jazz workshops at the Magnus Church of England School, Newark, on Tuesday, three weeks ahead of the town’s jazz festival.

The pupils had the chance to perform with clarinettist Roger Bird, trumpeter Teddy Fullick, guitar player Stuart Battle, and pianist Andrew Hall, who spent more than 30 years in New Orleans and now lives in Newark.

One of the organisers of the festival, Mr Paul Sparks, said the musicians would normally draw audiences from across the country to hear them play, and they gave up their time to make children aware of the different ways jazz was played.

The workshop was organised by an educational trust set up in memory of Ken Colyer, Britain’s leading New Orleans-style trumpeter.

He died in March 1988 and his trust promotes and encourages young people to learn about and play New Orleans jazz.

The schools taking part were: Barnby Road Primary, Bishop Alexander Primary, Lover’s Lane Primary and Bowbridge Primary, Newark; John Blow Primary, Collingham; St Peter’s Primary, Farndon, and John Hunt Juniors, Balderton. Members of Magnus Swing Band were also involved.

Schools in the Newark area have been given parasols that they have been asked to decorate and carry during a parade through Newark on the Sunday of the festival.

Newark Area Arts and Leisure Foundation has given £450 for 200 of the small parasols.