RiverJack Z – Making music with RiverJack Z

Program Description

Spend some VIRTUAL TIME ONLINE with

RiverJack Z
a.k.a. Jack Zucchini

the guitar-playing singer/songwriter from
The Zucchini Brothers

During these Covid times, RiverJack Z is providing both live concerts via Zoom and prerecorded, personalized concerts via YouTube. These interactive sing-alongs are geared for children pre-k through 3rd grade and are a great way to spend some quality classroom and/or family time together. Jack encourages the children to sing and dance and play along on whatever instruments they may have available at home or in school. This includes little plastic guitars, bongos, shakers, tambourines, and even pencils as rhythm sticks, or good ole pots and pans. 

Here are some quotes from online concert attendees who were present during a live Zoom concert that was available for Schuylerville Public Library families:

“This morning was fun. Jack did a live, interactive concert on Zoom for the Schuylerville Public Library. About 15 households participated, and the kids were dancing and playing their instruments (muted) along with Jack. It was awesome. The children looked so happy. Yesterday when I was doing Zoom preschool with my class, they wanted to know when they’ll be able to see their friends again and hug each other and fall down on the ground together. 🥰 I think what Jack is offering to families, schools, and libraries is what children are in need of right now: interactive JOY.”

“We had a wonderful time listening to the tunes of RiverJack Z during his Zoom concert. I hadn’t seen my daughter light up like that in days. She sang along, danced and laughed. She even continued the music energy throughout the day. I found her on her swing much later singing a new version of  ‘See ya in a while crocodile’ to our dog. Highly recommend!”

Performance formats:

• A live, online, 30-minute Zoom concert on the day and time of your choice. These live, online concerts are closely monitored by a co-host who makes sure the environment stays kid-friendly and everything runs smoothly. $175
• A pre-recorded, customized, 30-minute YouTube concert that will be available 24/7 online through your library or organization for one week. $250

Prior to the concert, Jack will send you a video of ideas for using common household objects as instruments so you can be part of the band during the concert. (Zoom participants are muted during the songs.)

He performs many Zucchini Brothers songs during his online concerts, and families or classrooms can learn some songs ahead of time if they’d like, by watching their Zucchini Brothers music videos on YouTube.

I’m looking forward to visiting your library family and friends!

Stay safe and be well,

Jack

In House Programming…

During a songwriting session, students explore the craft of songwriting by writing and recording a song that is uniquely their own, based on a theme or curriculum-related topic. They work cooperatively to form a musical composition by: brainstorming ideas, writing lyrics, composing a melody, and gaining personal experience with the creative process. The song is then rehearsed and recorded, and the school receives an Mp3 recording containing the students’ song (as well as an online version to share with families) plus a whole lot more!
During a music video session, students explore the craft of creating a music video by lip synching to their original song and acting out various lyrics while being filmed and directed by Jack. The footage is then taken back to Riverside Studio where, during post-production, it is transformed into an MTV-style video. The school receives an Mp4 recording containing the students’ music video plus a whole lot more!
Multi-instrumentalist, multitasker RiverJack Z uses live recording “loop” technology to achieve a full band sound by layering percussion, bass, acoustic guitars, keyboards, harmonica, and vocals. The list of instruments and sounds is always growing!
Jack sometimes brings along one of his bandmates to help with the songwriting!