“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I appreciate Mr. Carter coming here with his current students and I’m very sorry that the city lost him,” said Tracy D. Holliway-Wiggins, founder and artistic director of Genesis Academy of Arts and Fine Arts. “He was an incredible teacher and role model here in East St. Louis.” “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>This Sunday – as he’s done annually for the better part of ten years – Carter and the jazz ensemble he leads at Northern Illinois University returns to help Holliway-Wiggins build an institution to help a new generation of East St. Louis youth use the arts as a catalyst for success. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As the former leader for the Lincoln High School Jazz Band, Carter is a legend in the area. Through the concert fundraiser Carter continues to donate his time and talent to East St. Louis as an effort to help Holliway-Wiggins make her vision of a faith-based performing arts education institution a reality. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Genesis has taken on the daunting task of renovating the former East St. Louis Public Library building into a world class center for artistic development and cultivation in addition to being a venue for arts performances. The renovation and strategic vision will cost millions, but Holliway-Wiggins and the Genesis team are working fervently towards their goal.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“It’s a three story brick building and on the top is an auditorium and I want our building to be as nice as the Fox,” Holliway-Wiggins said. “I want people to say ‘we’re going to the Genesis – we’ve got to get dressed up for that.” “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In the meantime she has been facilitating an arts program every summer –at a host location. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Carter knows from decades of experience that an arts infused education can make all the difference. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The list of famed musicians that were a product of his famed tenure as leader of the Lincoln High School Jazz Band in impressive – and includes Grammy nominated jazz musician Russell Gunn.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> drop teachers, lawyers and even a mathematician who learned the importance of dedication of discipline thanks to the relentless rehearsals and rigorous musical demands he lovingly imposed on them. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I worked so hard not to send kids to music but to send them to success,” Carter said. “Music was just a way of doing that –creating the drive of what we can do to make ourselves a success.” “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Holliway-Wiggins’ husband Anthony, a minister of music, is also an alumnus of Carter’s Lincoln jazz band, so she knows first hand the impact that can be made. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“If they had the opportunity it’s the road that can lead them to a different place and a different space in their head,” Holliway-Wiggins said. “Some of them swore they didn’t like jazz until they heard Mr. Carter. Then they were like ‘this is nice.’” “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As a part of the programming surrounding the fundraiser concert, students in the East St. Louis District are also invited to take part in workshops and clinics led by Carter, his NIU students and the guest performer for the concert. For 2011, Randy Brecker will join Carter and NIU on stage and in the clinics. Carter is extremely grateful for the continued opportunity to give back to East St. Louis. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Exposure, the training and the outpouring could be put back on the map with respect to producing great citizens for this city,” Carter said.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> exposed, East St. Louis can come back to its glory through the arts.” “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In the meantime, Carter will use the talent he has cultivated at NIU to provide a good time and inspiration through their performance. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Everybody knows Mr. Carter puts on a show,” Holliway-Wiggins said. “It’s going to be a mind-blowing –yet relaxing – experience.” “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>She also knows that Carter’s continued support is much bigger than the show and workshop he conducts every year. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“He has taken on Genesis as a part of him,” Holliway-Wiggins said. “We are thankful for the relationship and when he comes back here people just love on him.” “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ron Carter and the NIU Ensemble with special guest artist Randy Brecker will perform for the 7th Annual Genesis Academy of Arts And Fine Arts Ministry Fundraiser at the Sheldon Concert Hall on Sunday, Apr. 17 at 5 pm. For more information, visit
“http://www.gaafam.org/”>www.gaafam.org 257-0531.
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