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JAZZ: a democratic art form indigenous to the United States. …improvisation, swing, blues feeling. Jazz.
MINDFULNESS: awareness without judgment of the present moment via direct and immediate experience.
The Jazz Mindfulness Program is the creation of musician and educator, Adam Bernstein. Sponsored by the Brooklyn Zen Center, this program is designed to bring music and mindfulness practice together in a new innovative way to nurture young people in their day to day lives. Students will have the opportunity to play jazz together with learning mindfulness meditation. The program is designed to provide students with the life-long skills of being in the moment, listening to one another and playing music in community. The program is for instrumentalists and singers from ages 12 to 18 and all levels of ability are welcome. We celebrate jazz, creativity and self-discovery.
Our Goals Are to
- Provide a forum for young people to explore quieting their minds through sitting, walking and music meditation
- Create a musical community where each student is challenged to grow musically through jazz
- Provide a nurturing, safe environment for young people to explore being themselves
- Provide a place where the students can share their musical explorations (via two planned concerts) and meditative insights with the larger community
- Instill a great love for jazz and the jazz legacy
- Have a great time together in community without judgment
Each Session Includes
- A short period of meditation instruction and practice
- Jazz Theory instruction
- Combo and large ensemble practice
If you would like a current schedule of class and event times, please click here.
To register for the Jazz Mindfulness Program, please download and print a PDF of the current JMP brochure by clicking here and mail the attached signup form with payment to Brooklyn Zen Center. Brooklyn Zen Center address information is found here on BZC’s contact page, where you can also use the email form to contact Adam Bernstein, the program’s director and instructor.
About the Instructor
Accomplished composer, arranger, educator, and bassist, Adam Bernstein has performed internationally since 1981. Known for his stylistic diversity, Adam has played with many great musicians including Levon Helm, Perry Robinson, Walter Perkins, Claire Daly, Sahib Shihab, and the string quartet, Ethel. In 1998, while continuing to perform and record, Adam turned his attention toward jazz education. He recently ended his 11 year tenure as Jazz Director at the Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn, NY and continues to consult with Jazz at Lincoln Center after having been on faculty there. He received a proclamation for his outstanding work in jazz education from Brooklyn Borough president Marty Markowitz on June 3, 2005. Adam Bernstein is currently performing with The Laurie Berkner Band and appears regularly on NOGGIN’s “Jack’s Big Music Show.” Adam began practicing mindfulness meditation with the Thich Nhat Hanh community in 1994 and now is a regular practicitioner with the Brooklyn Zen Center.