TVKIDS
PBS KIDS has commissioned a one-hour special and short-form series based on Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band by Kwame Alexander.
The one-hour special, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band, teaches kids about foundational music concepts and the importance of teamwork to inspire them to use their creativity as an outlet for self-expression. The short-form series, Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams, highlights styles of jazz, musical concepts and kid-relatable everyday experiences, with each short featuring an original song.
Both the series and special are produced by GBH and will feature 24 original tracks composed by Mark McLean, along with special guests such as jazz artist Herbie Hancock and bassist Amy Shook.
The special is set to premiere on May 1. The series has rolled out its first short as a sneak peek, with the second coming on April 11. The remaining 18 shorts will roll out weekly beginning May 9.
In addition to the series and special, there will be an interactive game, Groovin’ with Acoustic Rooster, to allow kids to create their own music and play along with their favorite songs from the show.
Art from the special will be featured in two new board books from Alexander: Acoustic Rooster and His Friends and Acoustic Rooster Sings the Alphabet. They will be published by Sleeping Bear Press on April 1.
The Acoustic Rooster shorts and special were created by Alexander and Kay Donmyer and directed by Rachel Stolberg and Ranjit Gill. They are produced by GBH and animated by Global Mechanic Media.
“When my daughter was a baby, I was having a really hard time soothing her, so I put on Ella Fitzgerald’s record ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket,’ then I played Wynton Marsalis’s ‘Stardust,’ and she was captivated. Immediately stopped crying,” Alexander said. “Playing jazz for her inspired me to write Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band to share the history and the power of the music and the musicians with the world through a fictional barnyard band.”
“Music has the unique ability to inspire creativity, foster connection and help children express themselves in meaningful ways,” commented Sara DeWitt, senior VP and general manager at PBS KIDS. “Acoustic Rooster uses the magic of jazz to spark a love for music as it supports personal growth, making it a truly inspiring and fun experience for young viewers.”
“At its core, jazz music is about collaboration and working together to create something magical and beautiful,” added executive producer Julius Harper. “Through the story of Rooster, kids will learn how self-expression and individuality can help everyone in a community work toward a shared goal and that music can influence everyday life.”
