My Name is Jazz
My Name is Jazz, composed by Monika Herzig and performed by the Indiana Jazz Masters (Monika Herzig on piano, Janiece Jaffe on Vocals, Peter Kienle on Bass, Tom Clark on Saxophone and Chris Parker on Drums), takes children through jazz history and introduces them to jazz improvisation and instrumentation.
Jazz Masters, musicians for “My Name is Jazz” and “C Jam,” created by jazz pianist/ composer Monika Herzig, is a result of research for her book, “David Baker – A Legacy in Music” (IU Press, 2011). Geared towards primary school children, the interactive presentation by a professional jazz quintet introduces basic elements and historical facts and figures of Indiana jazz history, such as Hoagy Carmichael, the Gennett Recording Studios, the Hampton Family Band, Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard, and improvisation.
Monika Herzig
Bloomington jazz pianist and educator
Janiece Jaffe
Bloomington jazz singer
Indiana Jazz Masters
Interactive Resources
Jazz Education Resources:
Sherry Luchette: Flying Jazz Kittens
Sharon Birch: Flying Jazz Kitten
Interested in an Indiana Jazz Masters performance?
Book list: All available at Monroe County Public Library
• Myers, Walter. “Jazz”• Orgill, “Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph”• Marsalis, “Jazz A-B-Z”• Ehrhardt, Karen “The Jazz Man”• Raschka, “John Coltrane’s Giant Steps”• Collins, “Louis Armstrong: jazz legend”• Golio, “Bird and Diz”• Winter, “Jazz Age Josephine”• Raschka, “Charlie Parker played be bop”• Pinkney, “Ella Fitzgerald: the tale of a vocal virtuosa”• Golio, “Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane’s Musical Journey”• Slade, “The Music in George’s Head: George Gershwin creates Rhapsody in Blue”