Youth jazz string ensemble sharing the music and history of the Jazz Age: ragtime, blues, early popular songs, spirituals, and klezmer.
Student & Parent Testimonials:
“I love Knights because it’s a supportive musical community that allows me to solidify my foundational musical skills and experiment with adding my own creativity and musical expression.” — 6th grade cello student
“Knights is great because I get to play music with students of different grade levels, but everyone here is committed to the same thing: playing jazz.” –6th grade cello student
“My son has been raving about how much he enjoys Knights. Thank you for your brilliant leadership in instilling such enthusiasm in him.” — Parent of 7th grade student
“Our son has said he’s gotten a lot out of performing in particular, which I take to mean he’s understanding something about what live music does for people…” — Parent of 8th grade student
Mission:
Offer string students a unique opportunity to learn and perform the music of the Jazz Age.
Give students a vehicle for creative self-expression through “melody-based” improvised solos.
Establish a “classy and professional” ensemble code of conduct so that students experience the rewards of good habits and self-discipline.
Connect Chicago students to the their city’s role in the history of jazz, the world’s first popular music.
Audition to Join Knights of Jazz String Band
Our Colors:
Jazz was born in New Orleans, and grew up in Chicago. Purple and gold represent the French Quarter, and white, red and light blue represent Chicago.
About The Director:
Brendan Finucane grew up in Washington DC, where he received a broad music education, studying with cellists David Gibson, David Hardy, and John Kaboff, learning blues guitar, and singing under gospel choir director Stephen Gibson. At the University of Illinois, he studied cello with Laurien Laufman and earned degrees in cello performance and music education. Brendan co-founded Soapbox Music in 2010 with a mission to build high quality resources for musicians. Soapbox Music runs a cooperative music studio in Chicago and publishes Field Guide To Music, a music-learning book and web app. A state-licensed music educator with 20 years of teaching experience, Brendan has taught public and private school music at all levels. He currently directs orchestras at the Chicago Waldorf School, and has taught general music, music history, and electronic music. In 2019, Brendan discovered early jazz when his brother urged him to listen to DC hometown hero Duke Ellington. Since then, he has pursued early jazz music and history however he can, studying with NYC jazz cellist Akua Dixon, jazz violinist Nora Germain, and jazz clarinetist Chloe Feoranzo. Brendan founded Knights of Jazz String Band in 2019 with his private cello students, with the mission to make early jazz more accessible to string players. He maintains a private cello teaching studio in Chicago. When he’s not playing music Brendan can be found hanging with his wife and two young daughters, or inline skating.
