African-Caribbean Adventure
with the Marlon Simon Latin Jazz Quartet

There is no jazz more popular in the United States today than Latin jazz. Young and old alike love the rhythm, the beat, but few know the fascinating history of its origins and by what circuitous route, it found its way into American culture today. Tracing these elements, children will find roots of this art form in their own roots – in Africa, in the Caribbean, and in South America, while, at the same time, appreciating that it is a truly American art form, accessible to all cultures.

Description and Timing: This is a five-part introduction to the fascinating history of percussion rhythms that originated in Africa, and were brought to the Caribbean and South America via the slave trade. Musical history comes alive through music in this workshop series. For optimum impact, the sessions are spaced at intervals of no more than ten days to two weeks. Additional workshops can also be incorporated into the program.

Residency format

Day 1: General Assembly or Assemblies for School Population: Given by the Marlon Simon Jazz Quartet. The initial assembly with Marlon Simon, composer, educator, and leader of the Nagual Spirits, one of the most highly rated Latin jazz bands in the country today, introduces Afro-Caribbean music, using congas, chekeres, claves and cowbells in an all-school presentation that gets them acquainted with the compelling rhythms of Afro-Caribbean music.

Workshop 1 for Core Group of Students: Following the performances for the whole school, one classroom, or group of students, selected by the school, will begin a series of workshops designated to give them a more in-depth view of the history that evolved into Afro-Caribbean music, as we know it today. In addition, using Latin jazz instruments, Marlon will begin to teach the traditional hand motions of drumming that separate Latin jazz from traditional jazz.

Workshops 2-4: Students will continue to learn the hand positions (hand, slap, palm and toe) needed in the playing of the conga, the basic percussion instrument of Latin jazz. They will create replicas of the conga, and other instruments, including the claves, chekers, and cowbell, and hear from a native born Venezuelan, Marlon Simon, about the history of his country. Additional workshops will focus on the artworks of the Caribbean and South American, teach the basic steps of popular dances, such as the cha-cha-cha and the merengue, and rehearse the selected music for final performance. Marlon Simon received the New Jersey State Council of the Arts award in Arts and Education in 2001, and is one of the top rated Latin jazz percussionist in the United States today.

Every classroom will be visited during the residency. Marlon, the leader of Latin Jazz Quartet is native born Venezuelan and a frequent visitor. He will talk about his country, its music and its history.

Final Day: Full school performances, incorporating the workshop students with Marlon Simon’s Latin Jazz quartet. Marlon Simon’s charismatic personality, and skill as a musician, will have the whole school up and moving to the Latin jazz beat, with the workshop students as the stars.

Geography: Venezuela is Marlon Simon’s country of birth, and brings his extensive knowledge of Venezuela, and its music and culture to the residency. Students will learn about how this South American country was settled, its cities, and its language and culture.

History: Much of Afro-Caribbean music has its roots in Africa, from which, through the slave trade, drums were recreated, along with their rhythms in the Caribbean and South America.

Science: Learning about conga drums, the key instrument in Afro-Caribbean jazz, flows naturally into a discussion of the acoustic properties of the instrument, and why the use of different hand motions on the same instrument, changes the sound.

Costs: Based on $550 per general performance, and $400 per workshop (involving one classroom period with selected students followed by individual classroom visits for up to two hours in total) the average cost of this unique and exciting educational experience is $3800.