Senator Klein, joined by Mount Vernon school and local elected officials, announce new partnership between the world-renowned Afro Latin Jazz Alliance and Mount Vernon High School

The Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music will begin a one-year residency at Mount Vernon High School next year, marking the first time the educational program will be offered outside of New York City   

Mount Vernon, NY - Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Mount Vernon school and local elected officials, and Afro Latin Jazz Alliance members, announced on Friday that beginning next school year the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music will kick off a one-year residency at Mount Vernon High School. This exciting new partnership is made possible by $80,000 in state funding Senator Klein secured for the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. An ensemble of Afro Latin Jazz musicians performed several songs in front of a large student audience during the announcement last Friday at Mount Vernon High School.

The music program will offer select high school students instrument and ensemble instruction at the hands of prestigious instructors and talented musicians. Students can audition to play a number of instruments, including the saxophone, keyboard, guitar and trumpet. The program is run under the leadership of Arturo O’Farrill, an esteemed Grammy-Award winning jazz artist.

“Every student should have the opportunity to play an instrument and follow their musical passions. With the funding I secured for the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, beginning next year students at Mount Vernon High School will have the chance to not only play, but learn instruments from a group of world-renowned jazz performers. I’m proud to have helped foster this new partnership, and even more excited for the talented students who will thrive under the direction of the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

The Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music has been functioning for a decade, with current residencies at 11 New York City schools. Next year’s expansion into Mount Vernon High School will mark the first time ALJAM will operate outside of the five boroughs.