Jazz for Kids celebrates 20 years in Portsmouth

Program introduces children to the ’classical music of this country’

By Jim McGaw
Posted 2/22/19

PORTSMOUTH — About a dozen children and their parents hopped aboard the “A Train” with vocalist Tish Adams Thursday afternoon and rode it in, out and around the tasting room at …

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Jazz for Kids celebrates 20 years in Portsmouth

Program introduces children to the ’classical music of this country’

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — About a dozen children and their parents hopped aboard the “A Train” with vocalist Tish Adams Thursday afternoon and rode it in, out and around the tasting room at Greenvale Vineyards.

Duke Ellington’s signature tune, “Take the A Train” closed out another year for Jazz for Kids, a program the vineyard has hosted proudly for 20 years now.

It all started in 1999, when the organizers of the Newport Winter Festival asked Nancy Parker Wilson, general manager at Greenvale, if she wanted to host an event for the week-long celebration. 

She came up with Jazz for Kids — intended to introduce children to the sounds of jazz in a fun and creative environment — after a similar program was presented at her children’s school.

Two decades later, the free February school vacation event is still packing them in.

“It’s stunning to think that this has gone on for 20 years,” said Ms. Parker Wilson. “We’ve established something that people love. It gives the kids a chance to listen to great music, and the parents a chance to sit back. I’m just very happy that we’re here, 20 years later.”

Ms. Adams, a veteran local jazz singer who also hosts a morning jazz program on WRIU in Kingston, was still beaming moments after the kids cleared out of the tasting room (originally built in 1863 and restored in 1999), where the music is presented.

“I’m turning 60 this year and things like this will keep me young forever. I think I have more fun than the kids do,” she said.

When asked how many years she’s taken part in Jazz for Kids over the past two decades, Ms. Adams replied, “Enough that I’m not sure. I know I haven’t been here for all 20, but I’m pretty sure it’s around 17, 18.”

Since she’s not only a jazz performer but also an advocate for the music, Jazz for Kids is particularly meaningful for her.

“Jazz is the classical music of this country,” she said. “People keep telling me, ‘Jazz is dying, jazz is dead, all the fans are dying off.’ I tell them, you don’t go where I go, you don’t see what I see. There are lots of young, up-and-coming musicians who are very much into jazz and with events like this, we hope to grow even more.”

It’s difficult to doubt her when you see a roomful of youngsters grooving and dancing to the classic sounds of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan and other jazz legends.

“You’ve got to start them off young,” said Ms. Adams. “There’s nothing like a roomful of toddlers doing the diaper wag. It’s the most adorable thing to watch.”

Greenvale Vineyards, Nancy Parker Wilson, Jazz for Kids

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