We love listening to music in our house, so I was super excited to get a copy of the new jazz CD called Twinkle Twinkle Jazzy Star, by Dr. Thomas Moore. This is not your run of the mill jazz CD. Rather, this CD contains snazzy renditions of ten classic nursery rhymes including Farmer in the Dell, The Wheels on the Bus, and the CD’s namesake, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Each of the songs are played by Dr. Thomas Moore on his tenor saxophone with accompaniment by Greg James on keyboard/bass and Scott McLaughlin on percussion. 

Dr. Thomas Moore is a well-known keynote speaker at early childhood conferences on the national, regional, and state level. As a producer of over eight educational recordings he is well known throughout the country.  With over 800 workshops and speaking engagements under his belt, Dr. Moore is able to excite teachers and educators as he creates learning experiences for attendees of his speaking engagements.

You will recognize the classic nursery rhymes on this CD as soon as the first few notes are played. The songs range anywhere from three to five minutes in length and are so catchy that you will find yourself singing along. My son and I listened to this CD several times throughout the day on repeat as we traveled here and there in our town. My son’s favorite songs were tracks number five, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and track eight, The Wheels on the Bus. He loves the regular version of these nursery rhymes and these jazz versions were fun for him to add the familiar hand motions. He frequently requested that we “listen again” by replaying the track on the CD player. Several times we would not get out of our van until his song was over. It is safe to say that he enjoys this CD. I also found these songs exciting and refreshing especially my favorite track, number ten, Where is Thumbkin? This familiar song was played on what sounded like bagpipes and I really liked the sound.

This CD would make a great gift for a new mom or for the preschooler in your life, especially if you are looking to add some jazz to your music collection. With the familiar nursery rhymes it just makes sense to sing along to this CD while enjoying the jazzy flare.

-Product review by Jacquelin Caffey, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May, 2018