KANSAS CITY'S BEST KEPT JAZZ SECRET: MILLIE EDWARDS

February 16, 2011

Okay, so we’re not really good at keeping secrets… but, we didn't get a chance to blog about this back when it happened:  Blue Ridge was pleased to host jazz soloist, Millie Edwards this past September, and seeing as it is Black History Month and we have a display on Jazz right now, we'll tell you all about it! Accompanying Ms. Edwards during this visit was Caleb Aldrich on saxophone, Marc Caplan on drums, and Greg Meise on keyboard - and they all did wonderfully.

The audience, comprised of every age group imaginable, enjoyed songs immortalized by Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Etta James, and Nat King Cole. Feet were tapping, especially during a rousing rendition of “Kansas City!”

Ms. Edwards made it a point to encourage the young people in the audience to study music and applauded parents for exposing their children to a wide variety of music. Did you know that our branch has 461 Jazz music CD’s available for checkout? I found them by doing an advanced search in the card catalog: Keyword = jazz, Location = Blue Ridge, and Item Type = Music on CD. Also, if you want to specifically find Jazz music meant for children, you can choose an additional option:  Reading Level = Juvenile.
Read on, because I’m about to divulge some more secrets…

Did you know that there is a link between music and literacy? Online resource Literacy Connections states:  “Through music, children learn to:

• Understand language (we must comprehend language in order to become “true” readers)
• Experiment with rhythm, words, tempo, and melody (which are important skills in reading aloud)
• Think creatively and holistically
• Make the connection between print and spoken words
• Practice motor development and motor coordination while experimenting with various instruments and dancing
• LISTEN (we sometimes forget that listening is an important literacy skill)”

Did you know that there is a link between music and math? Public School Review reports a recent study where “students who engaged in the study of music scored, on average, 41 points higher on the math portion of the SAT when compared with students who did not study music.”

For a comprehensive listing of music programs being offered at a Mid-Continent Public Library Branch near you, stop by and pick up a copy of our quarterly “Beyond the Books” magazine. If you'd like to see Millie Edwards perform, visit The Phoenix Jazz Club on a Monday night.

Debbie A.
Blue Ridge Branch