Famed Saxophonist, Jazz Educator Ron Carter to Perform with Jazz Elite's Young Musicians in New Rochelle

• Editor's Note: What follows is user-generated news. If you would like to post your news to Patch, for detailed instructions.

New Rochelle, N.Y.– When asked to define jazz, some individuals may describe it as a style of music characterized by strong, but flexible rhythmic beats. Others may say that it is upbeat, enlivening and spiritually inclined. And, more fans of the music genre may describe jazz as a knee-slapping, jiving, head-popping experience.

No matter how it is characterized, local members of the community will experience all that is defined by jazz when the young musicians of Westchester County's Jazz Elite program and famed jazz musician Ron Carter take the spotlight at the Ossie Davis Theater in New Rochelle. They will perform together on the same stage at New Rochelle Library's theater, located at 1 Library Plaza, Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m.

"We are thrilled to perform beside the great Ron Carter," said Iantheia Calhoun, artistic director for Jazz Elite. "He is an excellent music educator, superb saxophone player, and an honored professional in the music industry from whom all musicians regard with the utmost respect.

"I have known Ron since I was a trumpet player in high school, and he continues to inspire me to be a better music educator and musician," Calhoun added. "After watching him conduct a band recently, I found that I have modeled my teaching and conducting style after him. He is, by far, one of the best music educators, motivators, and promoters of jazz that I know. Those who attend this event will see what I mean!"

Noted as one of the most versatile and sought-after clinicians in jazz education, Ron  Carter is a professor of music at Northern Illinois University and serves as director of its NIU Jazz Ensemble. Besides being a mentor for Jazz Elite's musicians, Carter has presented workshops as guest conductor, artist, clinician or adjudicator at several universities, colleges and high schools throughout the country.

Carter co-directed the music group Infiniti and has performed with the George Hudson Orchestra. He has also performed professionally with well-known musicians including Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Lena Horne, Lou Rawls, the Jimmy Dorsey Band, Wallace Roney, Terell Stafford, the Temptations, the Dells, Oliver Lake, Hamiett Bluiett, Leon Thomas, Art Davis, Fareed Haque, Joseph Bowie, Frank Mantooth, Delbert Bernadella, Byron Bowie, Orbert Davis and Carl Allen. Carter has made an impression in the industry, having received honors and awards for his many efforts and milestones.

"This is what the Jazz Elite program is all about. We want these talented kids to learn from the best of the best," she said. "We're not just your typical music program. We have workshops where our advanced-level students practice with some great music professionals, and they don't have to travel all the way to New York City to do so. We are right here in Westchester County. Ron Carter has been very supportive of the Jazz Elite program and we're honored to perform with him for this special concert."

Founded in 2003, Jazz Elite is a sponsored program by Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization designed to help students develop their musical skills in the genre of jazz. Currently, Jazz Elite – an ethnically diverse group of advanced-level middle school and high school musicians from the Tri-State area – has woodwind section, trombone, trumpet, and rhythm section players. Students take part in weekly rehearsals at the Theodore D. Young Community Center in Greenburgh, New York and participate in jazz clinics with music professionals like Carter.

Jazz Elite will perform with Ron Carter at New Rochelle's Ossie Davis Theater, located at 1 Library Plaza in New Rochelle, on December 10 at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the event is $20 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students, and free for children 12 and under. Tickets will be sold at the door on a first come first serve basis.

For more information about the event or to make a donation to Jazz Elite in order to help them continue their efforts, contact Artistic Director Iantheia Calhoun at 914-462-2669 or mscjazz@mac.com.

About Jazz Elite

Jazz Elite is an extended, conglomerate middle school and high school jazz program in Westchester County, New York. The group’s College Conglomerate Division is set to launch next season. Conductor and artistic director, Iantheia Calhoun founded Jazz Elite in 2003 at the Theodore D. Young Community Center to provide advanced-level training for young thriving jazz musicians. The program is designed to challenge student's aural, sight-reading, and improvisational skills, while providing a relaxing, and fun learning environment. Jazz Elite, is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions on behalf of Jazz Elite may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information, visit www.jazzelite.org.