Jump to content

Howard Rees

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Anne Delong (talk | contribs) at 19:04, 12 January 2016 (Submitting (AFCH 0.9)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

  • Comment: You may not just dup all your citations at the end. They must cite individual facts. For a living person we have a high standard of referencing. Every substantive fact you assert, especially one that is susceptible to potential challenge, requires a citation with a reference that is about them, and is independent of them, and is in WP:RS, and is significant coverage. Please also see WP:PRIMARY which details the limited permitted usage of primary sources and WP:SELFPUB which has clear limitations on self published sources. Fiddle Faddle 16:02, 9 August 2015 (UTC)

Howard Rees
File:Howard Rees.jpg
Background information
Birth nameHoward Rees
Born (1965-01-01) January 1, 1965 (age 59)
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresJazz
Bop
Occupation(s)Pianist, Educator
InstrumentPiano, Bass
Website"Howard Rees' Jazz Workshops"

Howard Rees is a Canadian jazz pianist[1] and educator. He has performed with jazz musicians Charles McPherson,[2] Ray Drummond, Barry Harris, Akira Tana, Leroy Williams,[3] Earl May, Kenny Burrell and Jaki Byard. He is the founder of Canada's oldest independent jazz school,[4] the "Howard Rees' Jazz Workshops" , and continues to teach in Canada and abroad.

Early life and education

Rees apprenticed with the jazz pianist Barry Harris from 1978 to 1984 in New York.[5]

Career

In 1984, Rees founded the "Howard Rees' Jazz Workshops", a Toronto-based jazz school. The school, which has attracted over 2,500 students from around the world, is Canada's oldest independent jazz school.

In 2005 Rees cofounded the Toronto organization Art of Jazz.[6][7] As a member of its board of directors,[8] he helped plan the Art of Jazz Celebration, an annual event which takes place at The Distillery on Toronto.[2] He also helped to develop the Art of Jazz Community Voices, a 240 member choral group of young jazz singers, whoch gave a performance at Music Hall Theatre, and later at Roy Thomson Hall, in 2011.[9] He also directs the Toronto Jazz Chorus.[10]

In 2008, Rees founded the "We Are One Jazz Project", a mentorship project that matches master musicians with children from lower income neighbourhoods. Through a partnership with the Toronto District School Board, students ages 9-12 attend weekly rehearsals, an finally take part in a public performance at the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts, featuring a 400-voice children's choir, a big band, a string section, and a number of guest artists.[11][4][12]

About 4000 children participate in the We Are One Jazz Project each year.[13][14]

Publications and Online instruction

Rees has published several instructional volumes and videos about Harris' method,[15][16] which have been dubbed the "Bebop Bible" by Tommy Flanagan.[citation needed]

In 2011, Rees launched the website "Jazz School Online", featuring over 200 video lessons.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Jazzing up the lives of Toronto kids". PostCity, By Michelle Ervin. Jan. 12, 2010
  2. ^ a b "Art of Jazz Celebration 2006". Jazz Times, 05/23/06, By Willard Jenkins
  3. ^ "Jazz Legends Shine at Toronto’s Art of Jazz Celebration". Jazz Elements, by Carol Sokoloff
  4. ^ a b "Jazz project gives inner-city kids a chance". Canadian Jewish News, By Jordan Adler, February 3, 2014
  5. ^ "Jazz program helps students find confidence". thestar.com. 17 January 2009.
  6. ^ "Jane Bunnett". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  7. ^ "'Saints' march in for T.O. jazz festival". The Globe and Mail.
  8. ^ "What is this thing called Jazz?". The Whole Note,June 7, 2006, page 16, by Cathy Riches,
  9. ^ "Concert Reviews: Children of Song". Jazz Review.
  10. ^ "Cecilia Monte Open Air". Cashbox Canada, Album reviews. 09/14/2012
  11. ^ "Have The Kids Taken Over?". by David Fujino
  12. ^ "Instruments of change", The Toronto Star, John Terauds Nov 28 2009
  13. ^ The Scarborough Mirror. "ISSUU - February 8 North by The Scarborough Mirror". Issuu.
  14. ^ "We Are One concert teams local youth with jazz legend". insidetoronto.com.
  15. ^ "The Barry Harris workshop video [Part 1"]. WorldCat
  16. ^ "Darearts Jazz Ensemble – We Are One Open Rehearsal". Live Music Report, January 8, 2009 , Earl Haig Secondary School, Toronto. A report by David Fujino
  17. ^ "Contrapuntal Improvisation: Recommended resources". by Neil Olmstead "Berklee Today"]. berklee.edu.