Queens Kids Work to Save Historic Home of Jazz Legend

May 16, 2008

(Long Island, N.Y.) On Friday, May 23rd the second graders at the Holliswood School in Jamaica Estates will be honoring a jazz legend. The second graders in Ms. Passarella’s class have been learning about different genres of music for the past two years, but have been most impressed with the work of saxophonist John Coltrane. There will be many activities that children will be organizing to raise the profile of the legend.

All of this stands on a foundation of teaching children the joy of philanthropy. The program is a kick off fundraiser to help in the effort to save the home of John Coltrane. The home is a landmark in Dix Hills, Long Island waiting to be transformed into a historic home, but funds are sorely needed to continue this effort! “Our task is to restore the home to the way it was when the Coltrane family lived there and open it to the public as a historic home to educate children and all people about John and Alice Coltrane and their life’s mission to be a force for good through their music,” said Steve Fulgoni the Director of the nonprofit The Friends of the Coltrane Home. For further information on saving the home of John Coltrane go to www.dixhills.com.

The press is welcome on May 23rd at 1:00pm in the Holliswood School auditorium, located at 189-10 Radnor Road, Jamaica Estates, Queens. The children will be singing original lyrics that they wrote to the sounds of jazz musician Louis Vignapiano, who will be present playing guitar. The children have been working with his music since first grade in a multiple intelligences learning environment. The class has been together for two years in a looped classroom and now will apply all of their learning in this wonderful project.

They also choreographed dances for the event. First working with ballroom dance teacher Michael Pagan, the students then interpreted what they learned to create their own dances in honor of John Coltrane. You can see Dancing with the Second Graders come to life! After the show there will be a reception called “The Cotton Candy Club.” The children will be transforming their classroom into the magical world of the original Cotton Club in New York City. It will be a time to celebrate education and creativity.

During the months of May and June there will be raffles, bake sales and a book fair to raise money for this effort. Some of the top prizes will be Eastwood’s Joey Leone Signature Guitar and an autographed book by Bill Clinton. Clinton’s office called Ms. Passarella to grant the children’s request for an item from President Clinton because he is a big Coltrane fan. The son of John Coltrane, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane has autographed CD’s which will also be raffled off. Jazz at Lincoln Center is also on board because they are so impressed with the children.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Christine Passarella, please call Christine Passarella at 516-319-4211 or email illuminata4@aol.com

Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Entertainment