May 24: Alan Jay “BAP” Palmer at West ES
On May 24, Alan Jay Palmer visited PreK classrooms at West Elementary School to teach students the history of go-go. Alan Palmer attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts in D.C. and the famous Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, where he developed his piano and composition gifts, which he now shares through his bands the BAP Trio and the New Soil Big Bang.
Palmer serenaded the students with improvised bits of jazz piano. Excellently merging PreK lessons with go-go music, Palmer had students counting up and down from ten with the piano, singing their names, and forming a classroom choir. Some songs were well-known hits, whereas others elicited more improvised content, but regardless, Palmer congratulated the students in their musicality, exclaiming, “We’ve got a band!”
Moving out of their chairs and computer screens, the children danced, took a roll call, gave virtual hugs to each other, and applauded, creating a virtual celebration of history and music. The keyboard led children to find their own rhythms, applause, homemade instruments, and utensils echoing throughout the video call.
As they transitioned away from music, students shared stories from their mornings. Palmer transitioned into a shooby dooby song, inviting the children to sing, skat, play instruments, or clap. During his last medley of different go-go beats, students sang “Wheels on the Bus,” along with other fun tunes. At the conclusion of the meeting, the classroom reluctantly logged off as Palmer provided joyful music.