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"Jazz Is Swing, Improvisation And Blues," Students Told

It was probably the first time that a definition for jazz was given as a captive audience listened to the performances of the musicians.

Kimba Southwell conducting Jazz session

The occasion was Jazz on the Parkway of the National Bank of Anguilla when it included several pieces by the Concert Band of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. The students were first directed by Kimba Southwell, a Music Teacher at the school, and then by Dr. William E. Smith who conducts a Jazz Programme at American University and is a recording jazz musician with four CDs in circulation.

Dr. William Smith with explaining training of students

Dr. Smith was among a group of musicians who visited Anguilla during the summer of this year with the BET Foundation and worked with the students on jazz music history and jazz performance. “I was teaching them jazz standards and helping them to understand what the music was about and to develop a love and appreciation for it, as well as learning how to play,” he said.

Jazz students being directed by Dr. Smith

At the commencement of the performance at the NBA Parkway, Dr. Smith led the students in rehearsing the definition of the particular type of music. “Jazz is made of swing, improvisation and blues,” they said in unison.
Dr. Smith was asked what he thought about the progress of the students. “They have progressed by leaps and bounds,” he replied. “All of them have been consistently practising and they are doing great. We were pleased with how they sounded today.”

He was further asked his opinion of having the students involved in the jazz festival and perhaps developing as jazz musicians.

“I think it is a wonderful thing,” he responded. “It is great doing it in conjunction with the Jazz Festival because it gives them an appreciation to see how professionals can really do this for a living.”

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