Co-Creator Conversations
1. Where did the idea come from to create Jumpin’ Jazz? Why did co-creators Mark Oblinger and Steve Barta decide to collaborate? The original award winning recordings “Jungle Jazz Joint Jam” and “Jazz Joint Jump”, upon which the symphony is based, is discussed. Length: 4 minutes, 4 seconds.
2. The co-creators discuss “Imagination Is The Key” the premise upon which Jumpin’ Jazz is based, and why this is significant to children, the music and the overall production. Length: 1 minute
3.What is different about Jumpin’ Jazz? The co-creators discuss why the show appeals to “kids of all ages”. Length: 1 minute, 17 seconds.
4. What was the “dream” that drove the creation of Jumpin’ Jazz? Length: 1 minute, 31 seconds.
5. The co-creators discuss how the characters in Jumpin’ Jazz - Hector the Hummingbird, Elephant’s Gerald (homage to Ella Fitzgerald), The Loneliest Monkey (homage to Thelonious Monk), and references to Django Reinhardt, Dizzy Gillespie and others honor the Jazz Greats by reaching out to the next generation of jazz lovers. Length: 2 minutes, 51 seconds.
6. Discussion continues about homage to the great Thelonious Monk. Length: 54 seconds.
7. The discussion breaks for a song "Elephant's Gerald", homage to Ella Fitzgerald. Length: 1 minute, 50 seconds.
8. Running through the cue and storyline for "Little Growl", about a baby tiger who is disappointed that she can't frighten anyone. But she will grow.....and grow.....just like you and me! Length: 1 minute, 21 seconds.
9. Discussion about arranging the song "The Loneliest Monkey", how the lyrics drove the dreamy orchestrations. "Close your eyes and say goodnight. And dream about a bird in flight. You can be who you might" said the Loneliest Monkey. Length: 1 minute.
10. The co-creators discuss how they picked the 7 songs to be in the symphonic production out of the 20 original "Jungle Jazz" songs available. The storyline was written after the song selection. Length: 1 minute, 21 seconds.
11. Discussion about arranging the original quartet songs for symphony orchestra. Length: 1 minute, 9 seconds.
12. The co-creators discuss the optimal length of a show for kids. Length: 42 seconds.
13. The co-creators discuss the balance between adding a thematic motif to the work, and keeping the blues feeling of the original underlying songs. Length 2 minutes, 14 seconds.
14. Steve Barta discusses how he pulled off Jumpin' Jazz by letting the quintet swing hard, enhanced with symphonic support, color, and texture. Length: 1 minute, 8 seconds.
15. Mark Oblinger discusses how the orchestra shines under the quintet, and how it reminds him of childhood musical experiences that were created by an emotional connection to the music, not with props. Length: 1 minute.
