Youthville Detroit and Jazz Master Wendell Harrison of Rebirth Inc. Join to Ignite Michigan with the Composition of a Masterful Youth Jazz Ensemble

Detroit, MI - Youthville Detroit officially announced today that it will be holding auditions for young talented Michiganders between the ages of 11 and 19 to participate in a jazz ensemble. Prompted by the interest to continue nurturing the talents of metro Detroit’s young people, the Detroit Youth Foundation and Youthville Detroit has decided to hold live auditions to fill positions for trumpets, alto saxes, tenor saxes, trombones, bass, guitar, piano, drums and baritone sax. This ensemble will perform original works as well as works of great jazz legends, such as: Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, and other prolific jazz composers. Youthville Detroit (DYF) and Rebirth Inc. continue to live up to their motto, “working together for our most treasured resource, our youth and our community.”

Youthville Detroit was an initiative brought about by Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick and Gerald K. Smith, CEO and founder of the Detroit Youth Foundation. It features a comprehensive multi-service facility designed to promote positive development among youths of all ages, with an emphasis on 11 to 19 year-olds. The 75,000 sq ft facility is located within the New Center Area at the corner of Woodward and Lothrop. It accommodates a multitude of youth development activities in the area of technology, music, dance, the arts, health and fitness, recreation, socialization of youth to youth and socialization of youth to adult relationships.

The Youthville Jazz Ensemble will consist of sixteen pieces and will perform throughout the state at various venues. Auditions are currently being held on Thursdays at Youthville Detroit in room 2130 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and will continue until all positions are filled. Youth participants must have at least 4 to 5 years of music reading experience and an annual membership to Youthville Detroit.

Wendell Harrison, who is a legendary Detroit-based jazz musician, recording artist, performer, teacher, author and entrepreneur, will lead this ensemble. His fame as a clarinetist and saxophonist has spread throughout the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Europe. As a musical leader and artist, “Harrison has eighteen (18) releases to his credit on American record labels such as: Tribe, Rebirth and WenHa, and international labels Soul Jazz (London England), and P Vine/Blues Interactions (Japan). Besides his sterling performance career and educational efforts, he has long been active in promoting jazz and in fostering jazz activity. In 1985, Harrison and pianist Harold McKinney co-founded Rebirth Inc., one of Detroit’s most productive jazz organizations. Rebirth Inc. is a non-profit arts organization that is known for its high quality jazz concerts, productions and educational programs.

This combination of talent, determination and youthful energy will prove to be a great asset to Detroit, drawing talented youths from all areas of Michigan and bringing them together under the supervision of one of Detroit’s most acclaimed jazz artist. With such vision and leadership, this ensemble is sure to inspire future generations of musicians and leave a lasting admiration for all that jazz.

For more information and to find out the specific requirements for acceptance into this ensemble, please go to http://WenHaJazz.swiftsite.com or call Rebirth Inc., at (313) 875-0289. Information may also be obtained from Wendell Harrison at WenHaJazz@aol.com.

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