Thelonious Monk Institute

Arts High School Student Receives Exclusive Invitation to Play at the Kennedy Center Along with Jazz Greats

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[NEWARK, NJ – November 28, 2018] The Thelonious Monk Institute has selected Arts High School senior Jalin Shiver for the 2018 National Peer-to-Peer All Star Jazz performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The performance will be held on Monday, December 3. Jalin is an Instrumental Music major at Arts H.S.

Jalin, along with students from around the country, will be on the same performance bill as jazz greats; Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Dee Bridgewater, and Danilo Perez, to name a few.

“The Arts High School Jazz Band continues to be an exemplary group of student scholars and musicians,” said Superintendent of Newark Schools Roger León. “I continue to be extraordinarily proud of our students and Arts High School leadership who continue to make the Jazz and Latin Bands an exciting, engaging and educational opportunity for our students.

According to Arts High School Band Director Lawrence Liggins, “Jalin is a humble, yet extraordinarily talented senior instrumental music major. He added, “Jalin’s passion for music serves as a model for other students. While he plays alto and tenor saxophones, (and also beginning to learn the flute and clarinet), his favorite and special talents lie in the alto saxophone.

Jazz band students from Arts High School have been selected to participate in special events hosted by the Thelonious Monk Institute on several occasions. In 2011, the jazz band was invited to perform at United Nations by Dr. J.B. Dyas, Vice President, Education and Curriculum Development, from the Thelonious Monk Institute for the 1st Inaugural International Jazz Day celebration. In 2014, drummer Derek Fykes was selected to perform with an All-Star High School Sextet at The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competiton and an All-Star Gala in Hollywood. The jazz band has also performed several times in Washington, D.C. at the Department of Education, for A Jazz Informance, hosted by the Monk Institute. The Monk Institute has played an integral role in developing and sustaining jazz education at Arts High School for several years.

Jalin’s early introduction to jazz can be attributed to his elementary school music teacher at Maple Ave. School, Thaddeus Expose, a jazz bassist of note. In addition to Arts High School, Jalin has supplemented his education in jazz through participation in jazz programs at NJPAC Jazz for Teens, Jazz House Kids and Berklee School of Music Summer Program.

Jalin will be joined by his family for the performance at The Kennedy Center on Dec. 3rd.

Arts High Jazz Musicians Perform in Washington, D.C. and NJPAC for Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Events

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Hitting the high notes at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C. earlier this year, the Newark Public Schools Arts High School Jazz Combo represented their school and the district in a Jazz Informance hosted by Dr. J.B. Dyas, Director of Education at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Joined by Terell Stafford, one of today’s top jazz trumpeters, the students performed six pieces for an audience comprised of Thelonious Monk Institute staff members, U.S. Department of Education personnel, and faculty and students from local schools. Following the performance, the students shared their personal experiences as musicians and how they developed an appreciation for Jazz. One of the Arts High School students, drummer Derek Fykes, has just been awarded a full scholarship to attend the internationally renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, at the University of Louisville (KY) on July 6-11.

Derek’s message from Dr. J. B. Dyas read: “On behalf of our chairman Herbie Hancock and everyone at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, it is my pleasure to inform you that out of all the students attending the 11 performing arts high schools around the nation that we support, YOU have been awarded our full scholarship to attend the internationally renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop. Congratulations!”

Additionally, the Arts High School Jazz Sextet will perform a FREE public concert on Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. (Chase Room) – along with internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist and recording artist Bobby Watson, as well as students from NPS’ Barringer, Arts, East Side and Science Park High Schools – at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (1 Center St., Newark). The concert is presented by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, in conjunction with Newark Public Schools and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Under the direction of teacher/flutist Lawrence Liggins and saxophonist Anthony Ware, the sextet is comprised of trumpeter Carlos Juncal; trombonist Craig Jacobs; guitarist Rahsaan Pickett; pianist Galo Inga; bassist Joseph Quiles; and drummer Derek Fykes.

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The concert is made possible by The Prudential Foundation, which provides year-round music programs at Arts High and other Newark public schools through the Monk Institute. Watson will serve as artist-in-residence during the three days leading up to the concert. The event marks the culmination of the Institute’s 2013-2014 National Performing Arts High School Jazz Program, which helps prepares students in Newark and eight other cities across the nation to become jazz’s next generation.