Jazz for Kids: Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B0001KAA86
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,100 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #38 in	Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz
  #79 in	Music > Jazz > Vocal Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The fun songs here are timeless classics that appeal to kids of all ages. By featuring childhood favorites such as "Old McDonald" and "The Muffin Man," both sung by Ella Fitzgerald, as well as more offbeat songs ("Mumbles" by Oscar Peterson featuring Clark Terry), Jazz for Kids makes for a great way to teach youngsters about jazz and swing music as well as some of its most legendary performers.

Little ones can sing along with Lionel Hampton's "Rag Mop" and share in the hand claps on "When the Red, Red, Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along" performed here by Carmen McRae. Their appetites will surely be fueled by Louis Prima's "Yes! We Have No Bananas" and "Potato Chips" from Slim Gaillard and His Baker's Dozen.

The kid-tested collection (children, nieces and nephews of Verve Records' staff helped make the final selections) also includes "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, "Chicken Rhythm" also by Slim Gaillard, and Blossom Dearie's "Doop-Doo-De-Doop (A Doodlin' Song)."

Jazz for Kids finishes with an inspiring lesson and uplifting message for both youngsters and adults alike in the form of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."

As Jazz for Kids makes little girls and boys dance, smile, giggle and ask for more, it is finally a children's album that their parents won't mind listening to again, and again, and again, and again...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only fault of this album is that it isn't longer!, October 15, 2004

By	Gwyn Gwyrdd "geek" (USA) - See all my reviews

This is a marvelous collection of jazz songs with quirky lyrics that should tickle any child and their parent's funny bone. As soon as you hear Ella Fitzgerald jump into the hippest version of Old MacDonald you've ever heard, you realize this is no ordinary children's musical album. My personal favorite - and one that I have even heard my daughter's grandparents now singing - is "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" with some of the greatest lyrics on the album. The Johnny Jumper in our household gets lots of wear and tear during that song. There is only one song - comprised mostly of chicken "bocking" that can be slightly annoying - but other than that the songs compiled here are real gems. Hearing them together like this, it's surprising that they weren't recorded as a children's album originally - they fit so well together. So, enjoy "Yes, We Have No Bananas" and "What a Wonderful World" with your child and be prepared to watch them show interest in other music by these jazz standards. It is a marvelous introduction to a staple genre. So good, in fact, that my only criticism is that it is over far too soon.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, May 10, 2005

By	MovedbyMusic - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is a mighty fine cd of true jazz classics for kids; actually these songs are for everyone who has a sense of humor and has an ear for classic jazz vocals.

Kids love songs about silly barn animals or simple stories but "The Muffin Man" and "Old McDonald" interpreted by the likes of by Ella Fitzgerald are just a pinnacle listening treat; "Chicken Rhythm" by Slim Gaillard is infectiously adorable; another variety in listening choice is "Doop-Doo-De-Doop (A Doodlin' Song)" by Blossom Dearie and no one of youth or wisdom can go without hearing "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong one of my personal favorite recordings of all time.

No kid young or old will resist moving with the rhythms of these tracks.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly reccomended AA++ fun and smart!, July 24, 2004

By	MilesColtrane "milescoltrane" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

this is the best children's cd I own because not only do my kids love it but I love it. . . . real and legendary jazz musicians & vocalists, real authentic recordings from the Verve Vault, this ain't some guy down the street trying to make a buck with bad vocals like most of these.

why not have your kids listen to the best vocalist of last century: Ella Fitgerald??

Bottom line is that this is a super fun CD, the kids love it, and I get to feel good that I'm also turning them on to "america's music" at the same time.

Bravo to Verve - I love the liner notes also where it says these songs were "kid tested" by Verve employees children! way cool .....