Swinging through the Decades of Jazz

Swinging through the Decades of Jazz 

Daniel Kelly Quintet 

6th Grade Culture LEAP 

Monday, February 10, 2025 

9:30am & 11:30am 

The “Swinging through the Decades of Jazz” program immerses Worcester Public School 6th-grade students in the rich history and cultural evolution of jazz music in the United States. From its roots in African traditions to the influence of diverse cultures, students will explore how jazz became one of America’s most celebrated musical genres. 

🎤 Students will enjoy a live concert performance tracing the development of jazz — from early styles to modern interpretations — while learning to analyze key techniques like call-and-response. By understanding how these musical elements create unity and spark interest, students will connect with jazz on a deeper level. 

Through Culture LEAP Field Trips, Worcester students gain access to inspiring, educational arts experiences that expand their understanding of music, culture, and history. Mechanics Hall is honored to be part of this vital program that fosters creativity, curiosity, and cultural appreciation in young learners. 

Please Note: This is a School Event and Not Open to the Public. 

Teachers interested in attending can contact their school administration for more information. Parents who want their child to participate should reach out to their child’s teacher to learn more about how the Culture LEAP Field Trips are integrated into their school’s curriculum. 

Mechanics Hall is honored to be part of this vital program that fosters creativity, curiosity, and cultural appreciation in Worcester’s young learners. 

Together, we’re keeping the arts alive and thriving in Worcester classrooms!  

Daniel Kelly – a composer, pianist and jazz educator who has been called “stunningly original” with “a visionary imagination.” His music draws inspiration from literature, visual art and journalism, captivating audiences across the country. A prolific composer and tireless musical explorer, Kelly continually seeks out new avenues for his creativity.  

Kelly is the recipient of the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, Chamber Music America Residency Partnership Grant, New York State Arts Council Individual Artist Grant and the Aaron Copland Fund. He is the co-founder and co-Artistic Director of Connection Works, an artist-run non-profit organization based in Brooklyn. Kelly has toured throughout Southeast Asia and India as part of the Kennedy Center and US State Department sponsored Jazz Ambassador program. Other notable international performances include benefit concerts for orphan children in the Kangemi slums of Nairobi, Kenya and a concert for the president of Costa Rica.