Rebirth services

Rebirth's main objective has been to acquaint young people with American Jazz music. Through these activities Rebirth has infused and develop new musicians, listeners and enthusiast.  Some important highlights began in 1988 when Rebirth began presenting Jazz workshops in schools in 1988. Rebirth presented a series of 11 workshops in several Detroit Public Schools including elementary school, middle schools and high schools.  One of those schools included a young  bassist named Rodney Whitaker who has become one of Detroit's internationally known Jazz artists.  The presentations were directed towards students in public high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, in an effort to broaden their musical scope and awareness of Jazz music. The school music departments, faculty, staff, Rebirth's administrative, promotion team and musicians worked in a joint effort to host the workshops.  Jazz guru saxophonist and clarinetist talked to high school music students about Jazz improvisation techniques.  The school band also performed several of Mr. Harrison's compositions and arrangements in a concert for the entire school.  Middle school and high elementary school students were treated to a Jazz concert and had the opportunity to ask questions and address the musicians.  Another important highlighted event includes  a Rebirth presentation in  in 1994 Multi Cultural Jazz Summit and concert involving 14 clarinet players from various high schools in the Detroit metropolitan area  These stellar students rehearsed and performed with Wendell Harrison and his world known clarinet ensemble.  The concert was presented at the Detroit Institute of Arts.   In 2005 Rebirth in partnership with Chamber Music America and YouthVille Detroit, community arts center in Detroit  presented a 10 week residency program featuring Wendell Harrison and his Clarinet Ensemble at three Detroit public schools including FLICKS Academy, John R. King Elementary and King High School.  The students had an opportunity to work with professional musicians no matter what stage of development of the students.  Often lessons involved showing young students how to care for their instruments and how to obtain a sound on the instrument.  At the conclusion of the residency, there were three concert presentations showcasing the students at YouthVille Detroit.  Rebirth was also successful in presenting another cultural exchange program, Detroit Meets Paris sponsored by Chamber Music American in 2008.  The ensemble Quatuour Issy Paris from France in conjunction with Wendell Harrison and his clarinet ensemble presented a workshop at YouthVille Detroit involving talented youth participants.  Later that evening, a concert was presented at the Detroit Institute of Arts.  These are just some of the highlights of past presentations. During COVID 19 in 2020 Rebirth partnered in a project with Detroit High School for the Performing Arts in a series entitled Detroit Grooves.  Wendell Harrison and  pianist and composer Pamela Wise presented several of their compositions and arrangements in a vitural presentation Exploring Jazz and It's African Rhythms.  The students viewed the stream and were able to ask the musicians questions after the presentation.     All of these programs are funded by private donations and grants from the Knight Foundation, Michigan Arts and Cultural Council, Chamber Music America, YouthVille Detroit and the Knight Foundation to name a few.

Since 1978 Rebirth is known internationally for it's dynamic concert presentations showcasing worldly known Jazz artists from the Michigan area as well as others.  In 1992, Rebirth in partnership with many organizations such as Jazz Hand Productions, The Detroit Jazz Festival, Eastern Michigan University, The Calumet Theater, Lake Superior State College, Michigan Tech University, Marquette University, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, The Detroit Institute of Arts, The Detroit Public Library  to produce many exciting concerts featuring the top names in Jazz.  The artists included well known Jazz greats such pianists Ellis Marsalis, Hank Jones, vocalist Annie Ross, vocalist Mark Murphy, saxophonist Eddie Harris, percussionist Jerry Gonzalez, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, saxophonist Lew Tabackan, trumpeter Charles Tolliver just to name of few.  Recently, in 2021 Rebirth in partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts produced a breathtaking concert entitled  Ambigious Reality which featured a 12 piece ensemble lead by Jazz guru Wendell Harrison.  The concert was dedicated to those whose  lives were effected by COVID 19.