First Lady hosts White House jazz workshop
WASHINGTON — The White House sounded more like the music wing of a high school than a seat of government Monday — and that’s just the way First Lady Michelle Obama likes it.
Mrs. Obama launched a White House music festival that brought 150 students together with musical legends like Wynton Marsalis and Paquito D’Rivera for a workshop on jazz, which the first lady called “America’s greatest artistic gift to the world.”
A jazz ensemble is like a democracy, Mrs. Obama said, and proves that “when we work together, there’s nothing we can’t do.”
The students in the workshop were chosen from some of the nation’s top music schools, including the Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts in Washington, and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in New Orleans. With instruments in tow, they filed into the ornately decorated White House East Room and State Dining Room to learn from the masters of their craft.
“I think it’s good for the youth to come in and learn about music,” said Linton Smith, a 17-year-old trumpet player from New Orleans.
From hosting music workshops to inviting schoolchildren to help plant a vegetable garden on the South Lawn, Mrs. Obama has said she wants to open the White House up to the American public.
This is a place to honor America’s past, celebrate its present, and create it’s future,” she said.
Kyle Wedberg, interim president of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, brought several students to Monday’s workshop, and said the first lady is sending youth a powerful message.
“Normal, everyday Americans have a place in this White House,” Wedberg said.
Since their arrival in January, the Obamas have filled the White House with a wide array of music, from a concert honoring Stevie Wonder to a Black History Month performance for schoolchildren by Sweet Honey in the Rock, an award-winning female a cappella ensemble.
Mrs. Obama said she wants young people, including her own daughters, Malia and Sasha, to be “aware of all kinds of music — other than hip-hop.”
The music series will continue later this year with workshops on classical and country music.
Related News
White House announces Latin music night next week with Marc Anthony, Gloria EstefanOctober 6th, 2009 Obama to host Latin music nightWASHINGTON — The White House is taking on a Latin flair next week. President Barack Obama plans to host a concert next Tuesday to honor Hispanic musical heritage.
Presley Pal Kitty White Dead At 86September 4th, 2009 KITTY WHITE, the jazz and pop icon who performed with ELVIS PRESLEY in the film KING CREOLE, has died, aged 86. White sang Crawfish with The King in the 1958 film.
Grammy winner Herbie Hancock starts two-year stint in 2010 as LA Phil jazz creative chairAugust 4th, 2009 Herbie Hancock new LA Phil jazz creative chairLOS ANGELES — Herbie Hancock has grand plans for his new position as the Los Angeles Philharmonic's creative chair for jazz. The two-year stint, which begins in 2010, includes overseeing jazz programming for the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, helping to hire musicians and mentoring young artists.
'The Notebook' to be turned into stage musicalJuly 23rd, 2009 NEW YORK - Tearjerker romantic novel 'The Notebook' is set to be turned into a stage musical. The book written by Nicholas Sparks is about a young couple falling in love in 1940s.
White House goes country with Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Charley PrideJuly 21st, 2009 White House goes a little bit countryWASHINGTON — The White House went a little bit country Tuesday. "Now, I know folks think I'm a city boy, but I do appreciate listening to country music," President Barack Obama said to guests gathered in the East Room for a performance by country musicians Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Country stars Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss to play high-profile gig at White HouseJuly 15th, 2009 Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss to play White HouseNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country musicians Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss will play a high-profile gig next week at the White House.
President Obama celebrates Independence Day, daughter Malia's 11th birthday on SaturdayJuly 4th, 2009 Obama to mark July 4, daughter's birthday SaturdayWASHINGTON — With a fireworks show and a picnic at the White House, President Barack Obama leads the nation in observing Independence Day. Saturday is also his daughter Malia's 11th birthday.
Ashton Kutcher, the new White House messenger?June 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - American actor Ashton Kutcher is said to have become the new messenger for the White House, after he took to his Twitter.com page to pass on a message. Kutcher, 31, who is well known for his pranks, tweeted on June 28 that the White House had asked him to help get the word out about National HIV Testing Day.I've been asked by the white house to twet this," Politico.com quoted him as having written before providing a link to a White House blog post and accompanying video noting the 14th commemoration of National HIV Testing Day.
White House: Obama saw Jackson as music icon with tragedy-tinged lifeJune 26th, 2009 White House on Jackson: pop icon, troubled lifeWASHINGTON — White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama saw pop star Michael Jackson as a spectacular performer and music icon whose life nonetheless had sad and tragic aspects. Gibbs said Friday that Obama sends his condolences to the late singer's family and fans.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma says listening to Venezuelan youth orchestras a learning experienceJune 26th, 2009 Yo-Yo Ma feels the music with Venezuelan youthCARACAS, Venezuela — Cello virtuoso Yo-Yo Ma led a workshop with Venezuela's top young musicians on Thursday and said he came away feeling like a student himself. Ma came to Venezuela to perform with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and his Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony Orchestra, but also took time to listen to youth orchestras at a Caracas music school.
'Memphis' musical comes to Broadway, to open at Shubert Theatre on Oct. 19June 22nd, 2009 'Memphis' musical coming to Broadway in OctoberNEW YORK — The musical "Memphis" is coming to Broadway. It will open Oct.
New White House social secretary Desiree Rogers doesn't plan to just stay put in WashingtonJune 19th, 2009 Obama's social secretary plans to cut a wide swathNEW YORK — Stepping out in New York City to talk about culture, Desiree Rogers made one thing clear: This White House social secretary doesn't intend to stay closeted in her East Wing office for four years. "One of the things the president and the first lady want to do is celebrate America," Rogers told The Associated Press as she arrived for an arts event Thursday evening.
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi gets lunch at White House with top Obama adviserJune 12th, 2009 Rocker Jon Bon Jovi dines at White HouseWASHINGTON — You never know who might pop up at the Obama White House. Thursday's guest? Jon Bon Jovi.
Justin, Beyonce, Gaga, Jay-Z are legends in the making: Kanye WestMay 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Kanye West has said modern day performers such as Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Knowles, Lady Gaga and Jay-Z are on their way to becoming future legends. The renowned rapper compared the current artists to classic musical icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, insisting they held similar characteristics.
Obamas host night of spoken word, poetry at White House, including James Earl JonesMay 13th, 2009 Obamas host poetry night at White HouseWASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama says the White House is a place where people should feel free to speak their minds. To that end, she and President Barack Obama welcomed actors, poets and writers to the East Room on Tuesday.
Loading ...