Customer Reviews

Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Picture a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and great jazz music playing for you and your kids. That's right, kids' music you'll actually like to hear: good jazz music! I first heard this at a birthday party for a two year old where parents were having a bettter time than the kids... the music contributed to the atmosphere. A week later I am here online to buy the same CD for my three- year-old who loves any kind of music. Thank goodness I will gladly listen with her to this one!

Recently, I purchased Hayes Greenfield's Jazz-a-ma-tazz for my 7 year old son. I've since found the CD to be remarkable in its effect on my child and several of his friends. In the 10 days since its purchase, my son has not taken it out of his CD player - he plays it constantly - and - he does this when his friends are here. What I found particularly moving was when, several days ago, I heard him and his two friends scatting along with Mr. Greenfield on his CD. I believe that the children can relate to Mr. Greenfield for several reasons.

First, he possesses the ability to communicate lofty ideas to children in a manner and vocabulary which they not only comprehend, but, respond to with enthusiasm. While watching my son with this CD over the last several days, it occurred to me that the CD had planted a seed of passion for music within him. He is now asking questions about different types of music and, is expressing an active interest in learning an instrument.

Next, the music on the CD is familiar to children - this provides them easy access to the material. However, Mr.Greenfield treats the material in a way which introduces them to the rudiments of jazz. He conveys all of the joy and fun of that music in a way which allows children to experience and participate in it - it allows them to experience the thrill of musical performance.

Finally, the inter-active experience of the CD has helped to wean my son from the television, and, seems to have made him less
interested in its barrage of child targeted advertising. He seems so taken now with music that the messages of mass media have less impact on him.

For these reasons, I would recommend the CD to any parent seeking to introduce his child to the beauty and joys of music.

Anyone who can still enjoy watching Sesame Street from time to time should be able to get a kick out of this CD, which aims to get children involved in jazz. There is some fun stuff on this CD, especially the contributions of vocalist Richie Havens. Produced by the late painter Roy Lichtenstein and his wife, Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz takes children's songs such as "Skip to My Lou" and puts them in jazz settings in a manner that kids should be able to enjoy but which is not completely "dumbed down" to the point of banality. Highly recommended to jazz fans with young kids.

Anyone who has suffered listening to some of the cloying children's CDs out there will appreciate this one.

My kids LOVE this CD! That's really what counts, isn't it? Kids respond to things that make learning fun and Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz does the trick.

In a world of saccerine childrens music it's a pleasure to hear something that combines playfulness with some serious Jazz. I have found my son is delighted by this CD and as parents we have something we actually enjoy listening to. All it needs are more saxophone solos by a burning Haze Greenfield.

Hayes Greenfield's Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz touches the soul and spirit of all children by giving a honest and enjoyable take on popular childrens' songs. I can only say that when my three year old heard this cd, he did not want to turn it off....With the help of the great Richie Havens, Hayes brings smiles and laughter to all.
This cd is a great introduction to Jazz for young children..The music respects the "wonder" of all children. Children can sing and dance to the music. They can even pick up their "make believe" instruments and play along...Haze incorporates the voices of young children to help bring life to the music!!

Our childrens' lives have become overloaded with so much unneccesary information. They are watching way to much television and playing to many video games that introduce them to all forms of violence. Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz successfully touches the soul of all children. This is a CD for all children!!!!!

I'm not a kid, nor do I have any kids. But a friend of mine gave me this CD because I love jazz and I'm open so I figured, okay, I'll check it out. "Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz" is sort of a prelude for the younger set to Coltrane's "My Favorite Things." I find it inspiring that one would take the time and effort to make a jazz album so accessible for children without dumbing it down. Thus, kids are introduced to jazz via songs familiar to them while the lovingly rendered tunes make me nostalgic for my own childhood. Havens does a really touching version of "Oh Susanna." The sax riffs are great. The percussion inventive. I wish I'd been brought up on this music and then perhaps it would not have taken me so long to appreciate Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Dave Brubeck, and all the other jazz greats I thrive on.

Dear all,
I have wholeheartedly recommended Jazz-a-ma-tazz to all of my friends with young children. Mr. Greenfield knows how to make real jazz appealing to youngsters; that the children who sing on the disc are not "professionals", I think, makes it more appealing to the average child, to whom this record is aimed at, after all. But I would like to say that Richie Havens' and Miles Griffith's voices are both very appealing to me, even after many repeat plays in my household.

A satisfied customer

This record should be in every childs CD player. No one does it better than Hayes!!!! Turning kids onto jazz without being intimidating is a great thing.