We took the show on the road! First we planned and identified four African American performers that were born in St. Louis or had St. Louis connections. We came up with
Eva Taylor,
Lonnie Johnson,
W.C. Handy and
Josephine Baker. I prepared framed collage posters for each performer/musician and talked to students about each one's contributions. T.J. brought a variety of instruments that would have been used in early Jazz and Blues performances. (banjo, trombone, tuba, guitar, trumpet, clarinet and drums) Accompanied by Christian on the piano, the duo played while T.J. demonstrated each instrument. Christian talked about the popular dances of the day and highlighted his presentation with film clips of partner dancing and a dance performance. He demonstrated and got students and staff on their feet to practice their best Charleston. The finale was a rousing rendition of
W.C. Handy's St. Louis Blues. Students clapped along, asked questions, giggled and enjoyed the live music and dance performance. What a great way to teach the next generation about the Jazz era, through music and dance and the accomplishments of these famous African Americans.
Thank you to
T.J. Muller and
Christian Frommelt.
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| Christian making morning announcements |
Christian Frommelt is one of the founders of the
St. Louis Jitterbugs in St. Louis, Missouri.
T.J. Muller is a musician and bandleader of
The Gaslight Squares and The
Arcadia Dance Orchestra in St. Louis, Missouri.
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