Jazz for Kids: Everybody's Boppin'

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If Lisa Yves's Jazz for Kids (Everybody's Boppin') flies off shelves the way it ought to, any remaining jazz-circle hubbub over whether bebop lives will finally fizzle, for now and at least a generation to come. This unfortunately unjazzily titled record--the smooth-singing Massachusetts-based music teacher's debut--mixes up a batch of classics and originals--everything from Louis Prima's "Sing Sing Sing" and Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone" to her "Counting to Ten," which imaginatively and impressively teaches kids to count to 10 in 5/4 time, and "Alphabet Scat," an ABCs-based scatting primer.

But Yves, who also demonstrates her talents as producer and co-arranger here, isn't in possession of the only golden pipes on this 18-song, hourlong CD. Accompanying her on scats are a handful of students of various ages, a couple of whom step out as soloists (most notably Sarah Konowitz, whose rendition of the Neal Hefti-Stanley Styne tune "Cute" is a let's-hear-it-again gem). Sharp musicianship is especially evident on "The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines" and "Colors of the Blues," with sax, flute, bass, trumpet, and piano all handled with equal aplomb by a skilled group of studio musicians who sometimes soar, other times set a mood that's smoky, soulful, or subdued.

Best of all, though, is Jazz for Kids's effectiveness as an unstuffy introduction to this sometimes complex musical world. Yves, in her clear-headed, swingy way, flings open the genre's doors and celebrates its heroes. A few run-throughs and future scatters will come away ready to step up to the sounds of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. After Yves's thoughtful, thorough introduction, they'll savor such icons all the more. --Tammy La Gorce

Tracks:

Sing, Sing, Sing
Bird And Diz
Be-Bop Lives
Everybody's Boppin'
Alphabet Scat
In A Mellow Tone
(Hey) Daddy
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines
I'm Beboppin' Too
Colors Of The Blues
Straighten Up And Fly Right
Counting To Ten
A Night With Bach In Tunesia
Cute
Twisted
Roy G. Biv
Jazzabye
Clap Your Hands

Amazon.com

If Lisa Yves's Jazz for Kids (Everybody's Boppin') flies off shelves the way it ought to, any remaining jazz-circle hubbub over whether bebop lives will finally fizzle, for now and at least a generation to come. This unfortunately unjazzily titled record--the smooth-singing Massachusetts-based music teacher's debut--mixes up a batch of classics and originals--everything from Louis Prima's "Sing Sing Sing" and Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone" to her "Counting to Ten," which imaginatively and impressively teaches kids to count to 10 in 5/4 time, and "Alphabet Scat," an ABCs-based scatting primer.

Best of all, though, is Jazz for Kids's effectiveness as an unstuffy introduction to this sometimes complex musical world. Yves, in her clear-headed, swingy way, flings open the genre's doors and celebrates its heroes. A few run-throughs and future scatters will come away ready to step up to the sounds of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. After Yves's thoughtful, thorough introduction, they'll savor such icons all the more. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Fun for moms & kids.......2005-07-24

I got this for my 15-month old daughter. She seems to really enjoy it, and it's a lot of fun for me, too. Very nicely done and, unlike some CDs, I don't find it annoying when the kids are singing. They really add to the songs.

Great for kids and adults.......2001-10-27

This CD contains jazz standards as well as original music by Lisa Yves. The music is sung by both Lisa and her students who appear to be between the ages of about 8 and 15 years old. All of the music is performed in an engaging style. Lisa Yves is one of the most musical people doing music for children; everything she does just grabs you (and your kids).

Her originals tend to educate about jazz, both about music and the history and personalities. One of the most aggressive (and successful) of these is "Counting to Ten" which teaches the concept of 5/4 time. I never though I'd see my 8 year old coping with music in 5/4 but that's the magic of a good teacher.

I HIGHLY recommend this (and her other CD "Vocalese" to any parent that wants to turn their children onto jazz music. It sure beats The A Teens or Backstreet Boys.

a cd for adults who think about jazz as kids do broccoli.......2000-11-25

this is a great kids cd but also doubles as a jazz cd for adults who consider jazz in the same way kids may treat broccoli. no pun intended: this is a tasty album. i have given this album to over fifteen parents with children aged 4-15 and all parents say this cd is their kid's favorite. sorry barney. and everyone knows kids are the toughest critics. just ask the broccoli.

Excellent CD for kids AND adults.......2000-09-27

This CD is very upbeat. My favorite is Alphabet Scat. I highly recommend it

Jazz for "Kids" of All Ages.......2000-06-17

First, let's acknowledge what this cd isn't: it isn't cute, gimmicky, cliche-ridden, patronizing, watered-down, compromising, dull, sappy, etc., etc., which so many sessions aimed at a particular non-traditional audience usually are. On her own merits - for a moment taking the wonderful kids out of it - Lisa Yves is a remarkable musician with beautiful phrasing and a warm fluid voice that scats effortlessly, even when she's working in a register more suited to the kids. Her writing is hip, engaging and inventive, and she holds her own on Jon Hendricks' turf. But now, add these extraordinary kids. Where did they develop chops at such an early age? Usually, you hear kids trying to scat or sing jazz, they sound strained, off-tempo, uncomfortable, as if they'd prefer crooning with Raffi. But these youngsters relate to the music. They glide, slur, punch, skip, doubletime and all of it, like pros. I love them and I love this recording. I'ts what music & kids should be about and Ms. Yves gracefully puts it all into a comfortable context with references to folks from Bach to Monk - and many in between. My six year old & I ride around the Green Mountains listening to Jazz for Kids and happily scatting together. I wish Yves were teaching in his school.