"I have become disturbed by the absence of music education in the schools,
especially the extent to which low income children of color have no access to
instruments. They also have no sense of the role of jazz in African-American
culture. I've taught in wonderful jazz music programs for teens but mostly
they're for privileged kids whose parents take them to concerts and pay for
instruments and lessons. JazzMasters has a simple but brilliant curriculum; its free
and available to younger kids. In an amazingly short amount of time they're
playing in ensembles, experiencing the joy and the discipline that making music
provides. I am extremely pleased to be part of this."