Reviews

Johnette Downing and Jimmy LaRocca bring the history and fun of Dixieland Jazz to a younger audience. Accompanied by the Original Dixieland Band, Downing and LaRocca play predominantly original compositions in the traditional Dixieland style. LaRocca's voice is wonderfully raspy sounding, while Downing's clear bell of a voice snakes in and out of the rhythm and improvises nicely with the horn section. The CD serves to educate children about Dixieland music, it's songs, instruments and themes, which it does with aplomb. With fun original tunes such as "Alligator Snap, " "Rocking Seahorse," "I've Got Happy Feet" (a standout) and "Throw Me Something Mister," kids will enjoy the good time feeling, while learning a little something about this traditional New Orleans based music. —Lahri Bond ©2008 Parents' Choice, http://parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=23905&StepNum=1&award=aw

Vocalist Johnette Downing and fellow New Orleans native Jimmy LaRocca (son of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band's Nick LaRocca) joined forces on this Dixieland CD targeted at children. But rather than rehash old and familiar material, they chose to focus on original music and lyrics. They manage to capture the flavor of New Orleans in their music, particularly with "Alligator Snap," "It's Time for Mardi Gras," and "Throw Me Something Mister." In addition, they revisit Nick LaRocca's time-tested "Tiger Rag," which has become a staple of several styles of jazz, while updating its lyrics a bit. The band includes clarinetist Tom Fischer (a favorite on the jazz party circuit), trombonist Ben Smith, and LaRocca on trumpet and vocals in the front line, all of whom do a commendable job. Parents and grandparents interested in Dixieland jazz will definitely enjoy sharing this consistently swinging music with their youngsters, while having a band take the time to contribute new works to the Dixieland repertoire proves rather refreshing, as opposed to yet another album filled with golden but tired oldies. —Ken Dryden, AllMusic Review

“New Orleans natives Johnette Downing and Jimmy LaRocca have teamed up to acquaint youngsters with Dixieland Jazz in this collection of 18 original tunes and one classic piece. The opening number, “Dixieland Jazz,” presents the sounds of each instrument in the combo. “That Dixie Beat” explains that type of jazz music. The lyrics of many songs make them useful for story times. “Do the Charleston,” “Alligator Snap,” and “Dance and Sing” are fun for dance/movement activities. “Busy Beeline” is a peppy tune about bees, and “Swaying with the Trees” is a laid-back song that could be used for dancing with scarves. “Someday Your Dreams,” a bluesy Big Band-sounding ballad, closes the recording.
Jimmy LaRocca’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band, a New Orleans staple, is highlighted throughout the CD. LaRocca sings lead on a few numbers with a voice that channels Louis Armstrong in its timbre and tone. Downing sings lead on most songs, and her pleasant voice and predictable style is more akin to Doris Day than a soulful Ella Fitzgerald. Curiously, she chooses to pronounce the city as “New Orleenz” in several tunes, rather than the local pronunciation “New Or-luns” (which she does use once in “New Orleans Strut). Downing and LaRocca have assembled a toe-tapping collection of Dixieland jazz to introduce youngsters to this niche music.” —School Library Journal, Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH, July 2008

"You are never too young to appreciate authentic jazz played by musicians whose skills are equaled only by their enthusiasm for America's truly indigenous music. Backed up by Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band, New Orleans singer, songwriter, and children's musician Johnette Downing has recorded nineteen original songs that set snappy, kid-friendly lyrics to the upbeat, polycultural tunes that reflect and resound with the unique and unmistakable rhythms of jazz played superbly in the Dixieland style. Superbly performed and recorded, the individual songs range from Rolling Down the River; to That Dixie Beat; to New Orleans Strut; to Tiger Rag. With a total time of 46:06, "Dixieland Jazz For Children" will make a lively and popular addition to any family, school, or community library CD music collection for children of all ages and cultural backgrounds!" —The Midwest Book Review, "BookWatch" for The Music Shelf column, April 2008 Issue

"Johnette Downing's music, while new to me, is certainly not new to the global kid's music industry. Rarely do you see someone bring to the table more awards, reviews and accolades than Ms. Downing does. Her new release sees her teaming up with Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band (established 1916!) to produce an ode to Dixieland Jazz featuring original tunes and lyrics written especially for children. The disc is meant to serve as a child's introduction to the musical traditions and dances, like the Charleston, of jazz - Dixieland style. With a song about the Charleston, it is fitting that this disc would be in the Singin' in the Rain region. The Bear loves this track (link to listen below) and dancing the Charleston around the house. While this record is tailored for kids, "Dixieland Jazz for Children" is truly an authentic jazz record with an upbeat, happy spirit that will surely have any toddler or older child strutting around the house. A really fun collection of tunes!” —Jeff Bogle, Out With Kids Tournament

"Johnette Downing & Jimmy LaRoca’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band Dixieland Jazz for Children, Wiggle Worm Records/BMI. The delightful sweet sound of Johnette Downing, a favorite amongst local children, and the musical luster of Jimmy LaRocca’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band come together to introduce kids to the historical culture of New Orleans jazz. This delightful journey takes kids through the sounds of Bourbon Street with memories from Johnette and Jimmy, which easily introduces them to the basis of the music and the reasons it’s so important to our heritage and city. This family CD features tunes that any local can recognize and enjoy, including “Tiger Rag,” “That Dixie Beat,” “Rolling Down the River,” “New Orleans Strut,” and many more. With the release of this fabulous children’s CD during festival time, Johnette will be doing her regular performances at Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest, introducing the music of our city to young ones and the young at heart. This CD makes for a great souvenir and a must for any New Orleanian that has kids or knows someone that does." –Sheri McKee, Where Y’at Magazine

We’ve been listening to your (Dixieland Jazz for Children) CD in the car and it is a delight! You have a lovely, lilting voice. My favorites are “Busy Beeline,” “New Orleans Strut,” and, of course, “Tiger Rag.” I especially enjoy hearing Tom Fischer again—we were neighbors! — Nina Kooij, Pelican Publishing

"Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter and children’s musician Johnette Downing, staying true to her Louisiana roots, joins forces with Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band on "Dixieland Jazz for Children." The recording gives Johnette the opportunity to share with children all over the world music that provided the soundscape for her own childhood. "Johnette Downing brings the spicy flavors of her home state to all her recordings," Elizabeth Waldman Frazier of Waldmania PR told TDmonthly. "It was Johnette’s idea to update Dixieland jazz, fusing it with her own lyrics and new melodies." Launch date: May 6, 2008." —TD Monthly

Rock On Kiddos, New Orleans Style

New Orleans-based singer/songwriter Johnette Downing’s new album, Dixieland Jazz for Children, featuring Jimmy LaRocca and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band is, as far as I can tell, the very first Dixieland jazz CD for kids. If you’re a fan of Louisiana’s musical stylings, you and your kids will get a real kick out of this unique CD full of New Orleans inspired “can’t sit still” music.
Johnette Downing, dubbed “the Pied Piper for Louisiana music traditions,” has won 18 national awards for her recordings and children’s books. You can hear her passion for the art of Dixieland Jazz as she plays, and neither you or the children you spend your time with will be able to resist dancing.
Being that I have no idea what Dixieland dancing is supposed to look like, this is one time I’m very glad we don’t have a flip video camera.
—Opinionated Parent: http://www.theopinionatedparent.com/2008/07/04/johnette-downing/

We started out with Dixieland Jazz for Children by Johnette Downing and Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band. You can buy it on CD or for just $9 in MP3 format - Amazon's MP3 page for the album has samples of every song. Z's favorite song on this CD by far is the first one, "Dixieland Jazz' - "Dixieland Jazz, Dixieland Jazz the best jazz in the land..." - the song then goes on to introduce all the different instruments in the standard Dixieland Jazz band. Other favorite songs from the album include "Throw Me Something Mister" - all about getting some beads and doubloons from a float in a Mardi Gras parade (I can't wait to take Z to a proper Mardi Gras parade), "I've Got Happy Feet" - which for some reason reminds me of that famous New Orleans con where the con bets the mark that he can tell you where you got your shoes. (The answer plays on the New Orleans' substitution of "you've" with "you," and it's whatever street you're standing on - if you're on Decatur, for example, it's "you got your shoes on Decatur right now.") But the song is really about dancing your way through New Orleans. —Punny Bop, http://www.punnybop.com/

Louisiana children's author and musician Johnette Downing has just released a new CD titled Dixieland Jazz for Children that's available locally but will hit stores nationwide in May. "It is the first Dixieland jazz CD for children which is kind of cool since the band I collaborated with recorded the first ever jazz recording in 1917; sort of like history repeating itself," Downing wrote me by e-mail. Downing collaborated with Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band for 19 original songs. To listen to sound clips from the CD, visit Downing's Web site at: http://johnette downing.com/store.html. —-Chere Coen, The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, LA, February 3, 2008

The latest CD by New Orleans’ award winning singer and songwriter Johnette Downing, with Jimmy LaRocca’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band, is the first Dixieland Jazz CD created just for kids. With titles that include Alligator Snap, Rocking Seashorse and I’ve Got Happy Feet, parents will have a blast sharing the music tradition with their children. —NOLA Baby Magazine, “Cool Stuff We Dig" column, May/June 2008 Issue

"Original music written for children with Louisiana spice. An upbeat collection of music and dances, such as the Charleston that is fun for all ages. It will have you bouncing and dancing. A wonderful introduction to the sounds of Dixieland Jazz." —A to Z Kids Stuff, http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/cmcd.html

A couple of weeks ago, my family went to a birthday party on a paddleboat and the live Dixieland band on board had my children swinging and dancing throughout the party. And so, when we got home, “Dixieland Jazz for Children” by Johnette Downing and Jimmy LaRocca went straight into the CD player.Even if you didn’t grow up in the French Quarter, you can appreciate the rich cultural heritage that Downing and LaRocca bring to their music. Downing’s voice is as smooth as roux and contrasts well with LaRocca’s Louis Armstrong-esque voice.Although the lyrics were written with children in mind (“Well, crawfish and possums and skeeters, too, pass a good time in the old bayou”) the music is more than sophisticated enough to keep an adult’s interest. Listening t this CD, you can almost taste the dirty rice and jambalaya. —Richmond Parents Monthly, Richmond, Virginia, May 2008 Issue