Today it us unfortunately expensive to cultivate a love of improvisational music. While popular music reigns on the airwaves, it often takes more than a radio to hear a piece of music inspired by the moment. Sometimes it requires buying a cd or an mp3. At other times, a computer to gain access to the many websites that stream it for free over the internet. Those of us with access to libraries can bypass this all by getting a library card and using it to the fullest. But that card, and the rest of these resources, are much less useful at putting the music and the musicians immediately before our eyes.
For many adults, this presents no problem, for most cities have an improvisational music scene, and a community of improvisational musicians who perform live frequently. But these scenes are not accessible to all. For those under the age of 21, without money to spend on concert admission, and living under a parentally-imposed 9pm curfew, these live performances are, in most cases, well out of reach. How, then, will people who fit this description come to experience and learn about improvisational music?
‘Improv Alive’ was born in recognition of the scarcity of opportunities that many of America’s youth have to see and hear improvisational music. Having started with three Portland-based musicians in the Spring of 2010, Improv Alive has since evolved into a collective of musicians scattered throughout the Northeast and the Midwest, united in their love of improvising and their enthusiasm for sharing it with others. In the Spring of 2012, the Improv Alive Collective, which visits school absolutely free of charge, will embark upon its second tour throughout the U.S, with plans of introducing improvisational music to young schoolgoers, and hopes of being that spark which brings it to life for them.
If you’re a musician who wants to get involved, or a school administrator interested in hosting ‘Improv Alive’ for an afternoon, contact us at ahmjazz@gmail.com!
What teachers and students are saying about ‘Improv Alive’…
“Improv Alive finally got my kids really interested in improvisation. Too often we focus jazz education on reproducing works of others and neglect the development of each student’s true creativity. By the end of their workshop every single student in my Jazz Band was improvising and having fun doing it. I couldn’t have asked for more from this wonderful group of musicians.”
-Eytan Wurman, Music Director, Boston Latin Academy (Boston, MA)
“The Ahmad Hassan Muhammad trio brought the art of improvisation to life for my students. The workshop with my band students was enlightening as well as entertaining and the concert for the student body was spell-binding. It was a treat to hear such tremendous musicianship combined with artistic creativity. You are welcome back anytime!”
-Jonathan Roth, Music Director, The Shapleigh School (Kittery, ME)
“Improv Alive is a group of highly gifted musicians who share the art of improvisation and spontaneity, a missing element in a lot of popular music today. The promotion of spontaneous art is a message that peaks the interest of students and encourages them to think “out-of-the-box” when creating. My students were able to connect the word “improvisation” to many academic disciplines including music, theatre, language arts and dance. Thank you Improv Alive for sharing your talent!”
-Keisha Martin, School Administrator, McCormack Middle School (Boston, MA)
“Improvisation, the importance of jazz and the art of freestyle were just a few lessons taught by the musical group, Improv Alive on Friday November 12th, at Boys and Girls High School. The group, hailing from Brunswick Maine, including lead musician and pianist, Ahmad Hassan Muhammad, bass player, Stu Mahan and Andy Robbins on drums showcased their talents to about 100 students during 7th and 8th period all while involving them in their performances.
Improv Alive, is a creative jazz set, which was formed by the three musicians in college. After touring from city to city to introduce kids to the art of improv and music diversity, they have recently debuted their first album, Fly.
Starting off with something mellow, the group performed their rendition of the hit song, Come Close, originally sung by rapper Common and Mary J. Blidge and continued with songs by rappers Talib Kweli and Guru, which with their artistry, turns rap into jazz.
Students were encouraged by Improv Alive to perform their own freestyles, no matter how silly or absurd they thought it would be. According to Muhammad, ‘No matter how bad it may sound, freestyle is what you make it.’
Ending off the Jazz Assembly, students and even Boys and Girls High School teachers, Mr. Jones and Mr. Person stunned students with a Freestyle Cipher, insinuating the rules of ‘staying in school because that is what is cool.’ Judging by the number of questions and head-bops, students seemed to enjoy the sounds of jazz, all while, the musical group continued their goal to promote the art of improvisation.”
-Amelia Rawlins, Teacher, Boys and Girls High School (Brooklyn, NY)
