KINDERJAZZ is a 12 piece Australian Big Band for young children. It was founded in 1997 by Christobel and David Llewellyn as a way to encourage children with live music. Our inspiration came from Sesame Street and the 1930’s and 40’s Big Bands which predated television.
Christobel Llewellyn, sole producer and specialist in music education, has described Kinderjazz’s mission as “marinating children in the sound of acoustic instruments playing a wide variety of rhythms, melody, harmony and solos to encourage their spontaneity, develop their creativity and nurture their growing brains in the process.”
We believe that all children are magnificent and deserve to be exposed to the highest quality music. With two singers, trumpets, trombone, tenor and alto saxophones, piano, double bass, drums and congas, Kinderjazz delivers a global first. It instantly connects children to both their internal and external worlds. Kinderjazz is rich and organic. What you see is what you hear. The sounds come from the hearts and minds of some of Australia’s finest jazz musicians.
There are seven albums featuring a variety of styles and genres. Kinderjazz is a living, breathing experience. When we hear quality music, every part of our brain moves. It offers engagement and focus especially in an age where screen time diminishes play. Music has been proven to be the best way to encourage learning in children as it has an emotional component. The only way children learn is through their emotions. Kinderjazz can open that pathway. Our music is written to give children the best foundation for learning an instrument, using their voice, body and soul.
Jazz is such a creative medium and remains dynamically educational for children. The instinct to move as a response to sound begins in the womb. We believe that music is our universal language and can only thrive on human involvement. Children are deeply complicated and sensitive people. They should not have to meet the world in three minute sound bites. Nor should they remain passive listeners but should become actively involved.
We would love to share our music with you.
David Llewellyn - Kinderjazz Composer, Arranger, Lyricist
Here’s a quick example to explain creativity.
You’ve got to feed your family dinner tonight and the car is out of petrol and the shops are too far to walk to in time.
Translation: I’ve got to finish an album with one last song for the 12 Kinderjazz musicians but my mind is blank and the nearest idea just jumped over the moon.
But then the dog eats the meat and grandma blocks the toilet.
Translation: But then an Insurance Agent turns up and the band parts get lost at the copy centre. (Even Rossini lost his first overture to the Barber of Seville).
What I’m saying is that writing music is just how I get through the day. Whereas for most families it’s why you get through the day. And sometimes we do it together.