"Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams"
Based on "Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band", the beloved children’s book by Emmy® Award-winning author Kwame Alexander, the "Acoustic Rooster" universe is airing on PBS KIDS with a special and a short-form series produced by GBH. This will feature "Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band", a one-hour special, and "Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams", a new animated series of 20 shorts that will introduce viewers ages 3-5 to the vibrant world of the arts, specifically jazz music, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration, creativity, and self-expression.
Centered on the titular character, a guitar-strumming rooster who joins the Barnyard Band of Jazz Greats, the series and special feature 24 original tracks composed by Juno Award-winning jazz musician Mark McLean, as well as special guests, including jazz icon Herbie Hancock and renowned jazz bassist Amy Shook. The music-filled special, "Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band", premieres on May 1. In addition, "Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams" will debut a second short on April 11, with the remaining rolling out weekly beginning May 9, 2025. The multiplatform world of Acoustic Rooster and his friends will also include an interactive game, Groovin’ with Acoustic Rooster, which allows kids to create their own music and play along with their favorite songs from the show.
“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's Stardust, and she was captivated. Immediately stopped crying," said Alexander. “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," said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, 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,” said executive producer Julius Harper. “Through the story of Rooster, kids will learn how self-expression and individuality can help everyone in a community work towards a shared goal and that music can influence everyday life.”