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Many thanks to all principals and staff who
sent wonderful words of praise ... but this
first "review" has to be my favourite - Joe E.)
"The Joe Edmonds Quartet was both educational
and fun. They encouraged audience participation,
and they talked about different eras of music. My
favourite was Rock Around the Clock. My brother
liked it when they played the theme from Sesame
Street! They played music for all ages, and
answered all of our questions. I hope they can
come back next year!"
Jordan Larocque, Grade 5
St. Rita Catholic School
Hello Joe and Friends!
Thanks again for your presentation.
Teachers, staff and students alike had an
awesome time with you. I had the grade 6-8's
write up a mini review on your show, and even
the tough ones enjoyed your show in one way
or another.
So here is my glowing review:
"Jazz it up" was at our school this month and
we were in for the biggest treat of the year.
They played music which all our kids recognized
which made this experience memorable for JK
to grade 8 students, teachers and staff. The
primary kids danced, the junior kids laughed,
and the intermediates were inspired. Joe and
his group exceded all my expectations and we
will definitely have them back again.
Monica Sass (music teacher)
Trafalgar Public School
"The Joe Edmonds Quintet did a great job with our
kids from Grade 1 to Grade 8. They presented a
variety of types of music through music history,
demonstrated musical instruments and how they
work, and presented it all in a fun, interactive and
entertaining session. They did a great job of
keeping the kids interested and involved. The staff
and students alike had a blast dancing to some of
the fast-paced, high energy tunes. The Joe
Edmonds Quintet is a great choice for entertaining
and educating students musically."
Grant McMurray
Principal, St Pius X, Catholic School
"I always knew the fun that there is in Jazz
music and now the students of Monsignor
Morrison know it too. The Joe Edmonds
Quintet dazzled grades 4 to 8 with their jazz
interpretations of many different well-known
songs. They offered a lot more, however. They
spoke about music history, taught about the
evolution of instruments, and even managed to
throw a few jokes in here and there. Both the
staff and students involved were very impressed
by the overall performance. I’m very happy that
fellow staff members and students of Monsignor
Morrison were able to experience this show. I
wish that every school could experience such a
show.
Kenny Lima, Music Teacher
Monsignor Morrison Catholic School
"Our school enjoyed listening to "The Joe
Edmonds' Quartet" presentation at our school!
The audience included our JK/SK to Gr. 6
students. Each student reacted well to the
musical presentation, from improvised music to
jazz. They enjoyed interacting with these top
notch musicians, as each instrument was
demonstrated for our students. We appreciated
the humour of Joe Edmonds with the audience.
The musical presentation was excellent! We would
certainly recommend this entertaining group of
wonderful musicians."
Jacqui Shields, Teacher-Librarian
Lord Elgin Public School
"Joe, my compliments to you for the conception
of these educational concerts and to the school
administrators who responded by including them in
their educational activities. Having performed in
similar programs for schools for many years I have
observed that young people can be harsh critics,
however the success of your show-and-tell
participation with the students was evident by their
questions, answers and attentiveness throughout
the entire show.
Jazz is a part of our heritage deserving a place in
music education and most appropriate for students
at an early age. It was gratifying to see elementary
school students responding exuberantly to the
informal and humorous presentation of an
inherently complex subject.
Thanks for including me in this project. I
enjoyed it especially because of the subject
matter, jazz, which is North America's unique
contribution to the art world. The unsophisticated
song and dance forms, on which it is based, are
enhanced by the exciting complex creative process
of improvisation."
Robert Hughes, Professor Emeritus,
Faculty of Music, University of Western Ontario
(Percussionist with the Joe Edmonds Jazz Quintet)
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The Joe Edmonds quintet performed a
delightful concert for our students in grades JK-
8 here at St. Sebastian. Our students showed
true appreciation and enjoyment as they
swayed together, clapped their hands and
snapped their fingers to the many songs. Our
Junior Kindergarten students beamed when
they heard Sesame Street. The students who
had the opportunity to participate along with
the band said the experience was "awesome."
The Joe Edmonds Quintet is a wonderful
celebration of musical talent! How lucky for us
to have them perform at our school!
Barbara Nathoo - Principal
St. Sebastian Catholic Elementary School
"The excitement, inspiration and
enthusiasm generated by the performance
“From Bach to Hip Hop” was unbelievable. Our
music program is relatively new and struggling
to get off the ground but this presentation
was a catalyst to generate much needed
enthusiasm. The students were involved and
encouraged to sing, clap and dance along with
the band, and they had a great time.
The teachers were all energized and
feeling wonderful following the performance,
as were the students. This is not to be missed
as the educational value is on par with the
exceptional quality of entertainment, and the
performance appeals to Kindergarten kids up
to intermediate students and beyond.
Thanks Joe and to all the musicians."
J.A. Baskette,
on behalf of A.E. Duffield
Public School in Lambeth
"....Thank you for the wonderful concert
your jazz group gave to the kids at St. Catherine of
Siena School recently.
My children absolutely loved it!"
Cathy Osch (parent)
"We certainly enjoyed having your band at
our school. The jazz concert performed by the
band was both entertaining and educational.
Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8
were equally entertained. The program tied in
wonderfully to the music curriculum, exposing the
students to various families of instruments and how
each sound is created. The students gained a new
appreciation of playing instruments and blending
sounds and rhythms."
Kathy Zborowski, (LST), (CST)
Caradoc North Public School
"The staff and students at Metcalfe had an
energetic and interactive jazz experience when Joe
Edmonds and his jazz quartet arrived here earlier
this Spring. As Joe and the group entertained with
a musical tour through the history of jazz, students
were encouraged to move, clap and DANCE to the
rhythms of the music. We were enthralled by the
haunting tones from the saxophone, the quick
fingers of the guitarist and the stories of the
narrator. Metcalfe Central highly recommends this
performance. Students still talk about it!"
Cathy Harrison, Principal
Metcalfe Central, Public School
"Joe Edmonds and his band were outstanding!
With their wit, musical skills and stage
presence they not only entertained students
and staff, but taught a captivating music history
lesson.
Earl Towell, Principal
Edward Street Public School
"Plato said that "Music gives the soul to the
universe, wings to the mind, flight to the
imagination, and life to everything". The staff and
students were pumped to hear such a great
repertoire of music. The historical perspective and
musical liberties gave us all a taste of heaven. Job
well done from the staff and students of Holy
Family Catholic French Immersion.
Peace and prayers,"
Stephan Pelland, Principal
Holy Family Catholic French Immersion School
"For years I have appreciated Joe Edmonds'
skill as a fine musician, entertainer and public
speaker. Today at a local elementary school I was
witness to his solid competence as a teacher of
music.
This one-hour concert/lesson for students
from kindergarten to grade 8 explored the history
of music improvisation from Bach to jazz and hip
hop. From their opening notes Joe and the band
began a lively dialogue with their audience.
Students took advantage of the invitation
to experiment with musical styles, instruments,
musical concepts and even dance. There was
lots of laughing and lots of learning. During the
Q&A period the musicians fielded a barrage of
questions, and at show's end swarms of
children surrounded them.
My sincere hope is that this educational
concert series can be enjoyed by as many
schools as possible."
Anita O'Keefe, M.Ed.
Fanshawe College
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