Western Jazz Quartet @ FRL

On Tuesday, April 10th, the Freedom Regional Library hosted the Western Jazz Quartet, a resident faculty ensemble in the School of Music at Western Michigan University. This intergenerational program brought together toddlers and preschoolers that would normally have attended storytime this morning, senior citizens from Loving Touch Adult Day Care and PALs Adult Day Care and band members from the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology along with some other library patrons. Nearly 100 attendees enjoyed the cool rhythms of the Western Jazz Quartet as they included some "Mary had a little lamb" along with some Brazilian jams that might be heard during Carnival. They were extremely gracious to their audience and indulged the students from Berry in some Q & A about performing, touring, etc. The half dozen library staff in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the performance as well.

A very special thanks to Paul Nitch, Director of Music at Queens University, and to the Friends of Queens Music for sponsoring this event. Also to Dot Siler for coordinating this wonderful gathering of diverse age groups and for Mr. Suggs for allowing the Quartet to play his keyboard. Most importantly the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County appreciates the Western Jazz Quartet for sharing their incredible talents and knowledge with our community.

The West Jazz Quartet combines performing and teaching with uncommon success as they promote jazz music and jazz education through a very active schedule of tours, concerts and workshops. The Western Jazz Quartet has performed from Boston to Los Angeles, and tours regularly world wide.

For more photos visit www.flickr.com and search for Western Jazz Quartet and/or Freedom Regional Library