Praise for J&D

“Dr. Wes' course is fiercely interdisciplinary and quintessentially American. It's the American Studies course we all need to take—to remember where we come from, and most importantly, where we are going as a democratic nation. I encourage all youngsters to take part in this magnificent course.”

- Kabir Sehgal, Author of Jazzocracy: Jazz, Democracy, + The Creation of a New American Mythology

“I was able to look at music and our society differently. I now want to do a lot more community service and I’m happy about what I’ve gained.”

- Student, Wallenberg High School

“Students come away with real experiences about how they personally affect other people and work as teams. Additionally, J&D provides an essential and often overlooked window into the inner-workings of America’s native art form that speaks to such important building blocks of our society: collectivity, freedom, structure, expression, improvisation.”

- Zack Pitt-Smith, Music Teacher, Edna Brewer Middle School

“Dr. Wes is second to none…. What is most obvious and endearing to me about what he brings to children is his caring about them and learning. J&D for Dr. Wes seems not just a name, but a way of walking, talking, and teaching…. He has carefully constructed a web between what happens in the world of music and history, and made it palatable and relevant for children.”

- Kelly Clark, 5th Grade Teacher, Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy

“Students are now aware of how things that are entertaining can also be compared to things they are learning in school. It shows that academics and art are interwoven in many ways…. J&D reaches all students through all of the multiple intelligences.”

- Rodney Chin, Executive Director, Buchanan YMCA

“I truly believe that J&D has provided a platform on which students will be able to build a more in-depth understanding about democracy and American government in the future. I think the most important aspect of J&D is that it opens up students to avenues of inquiry that are not usually explored in depth at the elementary and secondary level. They are encouraged not merely to learn that Jazz was born in early 20th century America and has x-number of subgenres. They are thrown into experiencing the difficulties and the rewards of working together to make music spontaneously, which gives them a richer understanding of the music. They have similar experiences with concepts of Democracy both in and out of music settings. They learn the difficulties of working in a group with equally powerful players, including the difficulties of consensus building and the frustration of having one player flout group-determined laws. They also learn the importance of listening to one another…to prevent chaos and stagnation.”

- Vanessa Siino, Attorney and Volunteer, Horace Mann Middle School