Disney asked me to share with my readers the importance of the music in their new animated feature The Princess and the Frog. As someone who majored in music and always seeks out the melodic aspect of everything I come across, I was happy to oblige their request.
I’ve already written about how excited I am that Disney’s new animated feature is set in Louisiana, but how can kids watching the movie leave with important takeaways besides just being entertained? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if these little sponges of information walked away with a newfound love of Jazz?
Here are a few facts to help parents and teachers use Disney’s The Princess and The Frog as an educational tool on music and culture.
- Jazz music was born in New Orleans in the early 1890’s (1900’s), and was an important part of the everyday life of the city. Jazz music expressed the universal emotions – joy, sadness, and even rebelliousness – of the city’s diverse (melange) of communities.
- Music plays such an integral part of New Orleans lifestyle that filmmakers felt it important to reflect that diversity in the film. Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman (“Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story”) created an all-new score for the feature in a range of styles, including jazz, blues, gospel and zydeco; and featuring seven new songs.
- Terrence Blanchard, who is a native New Orleans jazz legend and trumpet player, played all of alligator Louis’ trumpet parts in the film. He also voiced the role of Earl the bandleader in the riverboat band.
Disney’s The Princess and The Frog will be released in theatres December 11. Your newfound love of Jazz doesn’t have to end when the curtain closes. Families can start planning a visit to New Orleans and experience the music and character of The Big Easy while making family travel memories to last a lifetime. There are numerous live music events throughout the year that are great for family trips, romantic escapes, or even just for a group of music loving friends.
Click the preferred links below for a sneak preview of Disney’s The Princess and The Frog.
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