Michael Henderson to Lecture and Perform with Jazz Students Of Hawken Upper School!~

CLEVELAND - April 22, 2014 - PRLog -- JAZZ LEGEND MICHAEL HENDERSON TO TEACH, INFLUENCE AND PERFORM WITH HAWKEN UPPER SCHOOL JAZZ BAND
Bringing From Motown to Miles and Beyond Curriculum Unit to Northeast Ohio
CLEVELAND (April 22, 2014) – Hawken School is proud to announce a special artistic collaboration rooted in Jazz history. From April 24-26, 2014, Jazz legend Michael Henderson will engage with members of Hawken’s student Jazz Band as part of the school’s From Motown to Miles and Beyond curriculum unit geared toward expanding students’ performance-based music skills.  Henderson’s visit will culminate in a performance with the Hawken Jazz Band on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in Kennedy Auditorium, 12465 County Line Road, Gates Mills.
With a career spanning 45 years, Henderson effectively bridged the gap between Jazz and popular music. At the ripe age of 16, he became the “funk anchor,” playing bass for Stevie Wonder. By 20, he was gigging regularly with Miles Davis and went on to perform on more than 50 fusion albums. Henderson essentially revolutionized the way electric bass is played by using a Dropped “D” tuning. An international icon by 26, he established himself as a vocalist and solo artist in the Soul, Jazz, R&B and Fusion genres.
Based on his early start in the music industry, the connection between Henderson and Hawken’s budding teen musicians is a natural fit. Over the past seven years, the Hawken Jazz Band has evolved from a five person rock club to a Jazz ensemble with more than 20 members.
As interest in performance- based music continues to grow at the school, so too have the skills of the young musicians. Under the direction of faculty member Chad Komocki, band members play a variety of Jazz-related genres with an emphasis on developing improvisational skills. Their repertoire includes classic pieces from legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Count Basie, Duke Ellington as well as a number of Funk and R&B hits from the 60s and 70s.

Although students still love the backbeat, the Hawken ensemble constantly strives to become better versed in the true American art form that is Jazz. Having played numerous concerts in recent years including a two-set performance this past spring at one of Cleveland’s top music venues, Nighttown, the group is excited over this opportunity to bring Henderson into their learning space.
“At Hawken, we are always looking to take our students to the next level in the classroom and through extracurricular activities,” says Komocki. “Hosting Michael is another example of the outstanding opportunities Hawken School affords its students.”
Tickets to the April 26 performance can be purchased online at www.hawken.edu/jazz. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at the box office up to the night of the performance. Reserve by April 21 and receive a discount.

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ABOUT MICHAEL HENDERSON
For more information about Michael Henderson, please view his attached biography.

His music can be purchased online at www.cdbaby.com/mhenderson or www.cdbaby.com/mhenderson2

Preview songs from The Essential Michael Henderson Vol. 1 on the iTunes Store.

ABOUT HAWKEN SCHOOL
Founded in 1915, Hawken School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school serving 972 students in preschool through grade 12 from nine counties in Northeast Ohio. Central to Hawken’s mission is our promise to “prepare students to navigate a complex and dynamic world with self-confidence and determination; embrace challenges with disciplined analysis and creativity; and engage others with empathy and integrity.” The fulfillment of this promise has earned Hawken a national reputation for educational excellence and innovative programming. www.hawken.edu