garyville – Students at Garyville

/Mt. Airy Magnet of St. John the Baptist Parish took part in a special jazz brunch as part of the Cultural Enrichment programs offered by the River Region Multicultural Chamber of Commerce’s “Yes We Can” 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

Hosted by Sweet Lorraine’s in New Orleans, students experienced a total immersion in the jazz experience. Jazz club manager Toni Thorpe, daughter of founder Lorraine, educated students on the long and rich history of this 60-year-old musical land mark which incorporates elements of jazz clubs nationwide. With art and décor taken from places such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, the venue has created an elaborate tapestry for the melting pot of American Jazz in the capital of jazz, New Orleans.

Organizers of the event secured, international contemporary, urban/

smooth jazz saxophonist Quintin Gerard W. and his band to entertain the students as they and their parents enjoyed a buffet-styled brunch. Busy recording his third CD release “Before It’s Gone” due out this spring, Gerard, who has returned to playing after a serious hand injury last year, was honored to take time out to introduce students and families to the live jazz experience.

“Music really is a medium for restoring the simple pleasures of family, friends, food and the everyday joys of spending time together in appreciation,” he said.