Jazz Hot Baby!

Far too many kids these days think that music is something found on a Wiggles DVD — my own 1-year-old teletubbie is no exception.

So it was with education and culture in mind that I booked tickets for the latest Baby Prom Series at the Sydney Opera House, part of their splendid ‘Kids at the House’ program.

Held in the Utzon room at the SOH, it’s a madcap race as 100 pre-schoolers scramble out of their prams and head for the top spots on the floor in front of the band. Getting in is a battle in itself.

Neither the carpark nor the SOH foyer have obvious accessible access points, so myself and other pram-wielding parents have to drag our buggies up several flights of stairs — the worst being the large set leading up from the forecourt.

Inside I spot more than one pair of fairy wings, several superheros and lots of party dresses in the crowd — toddler chic in fine display. But ‘prom’ in this instance does not mean ball, it’s from the word ‘promenade’ (to walk), so most adults are more casually dressed in jeans and t-shirts.

Kinderjazz are the band for the day, a 12 piece live swing orchestra fronted by a very pregnant chanteuse, Debra Dicembre. Vocalist George Washingmachine plays MC, introducing the various instruments like the magic walking Double Bass (a favourite).

The kids soon settle down for the be-boppin’ performance, a musical journey through the jazz spectrum from 70s funk to swing. A lively ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ and swinging ‘Cat Got Your Tongue’ were popular with the dancers in the crowd, a group of older children forming a jiggling front row.

Many of the children, including my out-of-sorts 19 month old, are happy to sit on laps, in awe of the band and the crowd. Up the back, mothers rock their babies in slings, nary a squeak to be heard.

After the 30 minute performance — the average attention span for this age group – the children are invited up the front to see and touch the instruments and pose for photos with the band, an opportunity once again relished by the older kids.

I choose to make an early run for the pram parking bay in preparation of the descent of Mount Opera House Stairs, passing the next sold-out session on my way.

I have my doubts on how much my son absorbed today, he seemed far more taken with the colourful Jorn Utzon tapestry on the wall, but he did head straight towards his Wiggles drum when we got home, banging out a rhythm that would surely impress Kinderjazz’s conga player.

I may not have a future Miles Davis on my hands, but for a fun outing that gives parents the opportunity to enjoy a music concert at a bargain price, in a beautiful venue, it’s a winner.

Jazz Hot Baby is at the opera house until November 2. Bookings via the Sydney Opera House website.