Mickey Bass; Innovative
Educator
Mickey Bass; Innovative
Educator
An
Organisation founded by Dr.
Billy Taylor in 1965, who's 'Mission'
was;
to
bring free
Concerts to the Neighborhoods' and Communities' of New York
City, which
they did! An
Educational Program ensued...
As "Curriculum Co-ordinator";
Mickey has
'shaped' and supervised the Program; to consistently
elevate
the level of Education, and awareness made available to The
General
Public, through "Jazz-Mobile, Inc.".
Currently; Mickeys'
Accredited College Curriculum;
"The
Diminished Whole Tone Concept" (c) 2006, is
being
used as a 'model' for other
Teachers to follow.....This
Original Jazz Improvisatorial Method will soon be available
to you
here.
Published by "L.O.B.III Music" and for order through; "
Rainbow
Jazz".
In
recognition of
the importance of 'Cultural Enrichment Programs' in Our Public
Schools;
Mickey taught at two Elementary Schools in East Harlem, one of
which
was for 'intellectually gifted children'. As a result of observation,
of Mickeys' teaching; a Book was written, edited by Dr. Billy
Taylor,
and published through "Jazz-Mobile,Inc.": "An Arts Enrichment Educational
Program; a teaching 'primer' for Elementary
Education"; this book is an intended 'guideline', for
teachers who impart
the
rudiments of Music to children at Elementary School level.
Adjunct Faculty Professor;
"Hartt College of Music"
1982 to 1985
Engaged
by Jackie McLean,
Chairman, to
offer something vital, to students, in addition to their Curriculum; from a working
Musician, put in terms made tangible for them. Mickey
received 'Accreditation' here, for
his keyboard Harmony Method; "The Diminished Whole Tone Concept".
In
addition to this Mickey also taught Jazz Arranging
& Transcription.
Teacher: 'Bass';
"The Ellington School of The Arts",
Wash. D.C. 1975
to 1978
Although
initially invited to teach 'Bass', a Jazz Ensemble evolved, and Writing
Arrangements
for them.
Born of necessity;
to impart to his students the real 'meat'
and 'essence' of this Music; Mickey began to formulate what became his
own Original Jazz Improvisatorial Method; "The Diminished Whole Tone
Concept", which then became an 'accredited' 2 year College
course.....
Mickey was
re-engaged to; Conduct, Orchestrate, and Arrange;
Music for a Play, based on Langston Hughes life in Harlem
in the 'thirties.
In
addition to Arranging the score for the Play,
Mickey also Arranged a fifteen minute Dance sequence, to Duke
Ellingtons' Music - called; "A Night At Ellington", the show was
televised on W.E.T.A. and the Music for the whole Production was awarded an "Emmy" in 1979.
Mickey also Wrote, Arranged and Conducted an 'all
Ellington'
program, for "The Jazz Ensemble" who performed as part of the Inaugural
Festivities for President Jimmy Carter, at "The
Whitehouse"
Professional
Development
& Accomplishments:
Awarded:
A 'National Endowment for the Arts' Composers' Grant, in 1980; with
this Mickey wrote;
"A String Quartet with Jazz Rhythm section & 'miscellaneous'
Percussion."
Wrote
& Arranged: Four Octet
Arrangements for Chico
Hamilton, and many Original Compositions &
Arrangements ( which will soon be available here, through "Rainbow
Jazz").
Broadcast:
"Adventures in Jazz",
on WBAI, N.Y.C. interviewing: Mary Lou Williams, Randy Weston,
and Leonard Feather...amongst others..Interviewing Mr.
Feather was a particularly interesting 'turnaround', because here was a
Jazz Musician (Mickey) interviewing an established Music Critic, who at
that time was writing for "The Los Angeles Times". This Interview is
'archived' on "Pacifica" Radio.
Presented:
the
T.V.Series, "New York Art Exclusive",
for Manhattan Cable T.V.
Volunteered:
for "The Jazz Foundation
of America's"
Annual Fundraiser; "A
Great Night in Harlem" at the World Famous "Apollo Theatre",
Harlem.
Mickey worked at this Event for three consecutive years as an
Assistant Stage Manager.
Also, he Stage Managed a
Benefit for Woody Shaw.
A Synopsis of Mickeys'
Musical Career can be found in;
"The
Encyclopedia of Jazz for the
'70's" and also in the '90's.
B.E.2 Home | M.B.Home
| About
| Innovative
Educator
| News
|
Biography
| Mickeys'
Bands |
Contact
Us