Georgia
Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, Jazz & the Blues: A Millionaire’s Retreat on Jekyll
Program No. 8009RJ
Jekyll Island was once an exclusive destination for millionaires and the political elite. Join us at the historic Jekyll Island Club for an adventure of learning and island exploration.
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Participant Reviews
Based on 68 Reviews
SHOWING
Jeff and Anne were delightful on every level. Their sparkling personalities, along with the mastery of their instruments and deep knowledge of the subject matter, exceeded my (already high) expectations.
The hotel and its location were beautiful. The side trips (trolley ride around the island / singing sea shanties as we set sail for dolphin watching - and yes, we saw some! / visit to the sea turtle centre) were all icing on the cake.
It was a fabulous experience.
— Review left April 17, 2025
I heartedly recommend the program. Very informative and fun to listen to and be a part of.
— Review left February 16, 2025
This tour was a winner! The performers are outstanding. Great accommodations and food. We experienced a beautiful island that we never knew existed. Very enjoyable. I highly recommend. Another senior and I traveled there together and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
— Review left February 16, 2025
Jeff and Anne were marvelous entertainers with great energy every single day! The piano and flute sparkled!
Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a classic hotel in a beautiful setting of Spanish moss and quite a place in history. Rooms were lovely with period fireplaces and modern facilities. Daily breakfast choices varied from the best southern grits to made-to-order omelettes!
Lunches and dinners in our own ballroom setting had meals with wonderful variety.
The entire group had a fun ride around the grounds on a tram to view the historic buildings both indoors and outside.
A highlight for the week was the boat ride as we all sang with Jeff and cruised off to find Gilligan's Island! The high water mark was dolphins surrounding our boat and guiding us along! A real thrill!
We were appreciative of the accommodation for all of us no matter our physical abilities. JoAnn, our faithful planner, took care of all the transportation and needs!
This was a superb enjoyable week getaway for all.
— Review left February 13, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the Road Scholar program, "Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, Jazz, & the Blues." Jeff & Anne Barnhart provide a very entertaining, educational program and the music is GREAT!
— Review left February 3, 2025
If you love live music, don't miss this program!
— Review left February 2, 2025
This was a great program with outstanding teachers and performers. Everything about the planning, teaching and interaction was excellent. We learned a lot and had fun. We very much enjoyed the other participants.
— Review left February 1, 2025
I am still waiting for the papers that they ran out of that described the course. There were so many folks there and not enough papers about the course. It was a great trip in every way.
— Review left November 18, 2024
This was my first Road Scholar experience. It exceeded my expectations and was a simply wonderful experience. If you like learning about music this program is a must for you!
— Review left November 17, 2024
Nestled on beautiful Jekyll Island, this is a quality experience not to be missed if you love history, music, and scenery.
— Review left November 17, 2024
Gary and I were absolutely swept away with the talent of Anne/Jeff Barnhart, leaders of our music program. We would recommend anyone who enjoys learning about Ragtime, Blues and Jazz enroll in ANY program where this duo will lead the program. They are THAT good. And, yes, Jekyll Island is truly beautiful.
— Review left October 13, 2024
As a longtime Jazz fan, who has enjoyed a number of Ivory & Gold performances at Jazz Festivals, I was thrilled to have Jeff & Anne giving us four fantastic mornings of history and performing Ragtime, Jazz, and Blues music.
This was the second time for this program and Jeff and Anne gave a fresh presentation of the music I love.
The old Jekyll Island Club Hotel Ballroom was still a perfect place for performances and buffet meals.
— Review left March 1, 2024
This was a great, fun and interesting program presented in a fun, interesting way by truly professional, caring individuals who were well equipped and up to the task.
— Review left February 18, 2024
Jeff and Anne make a fantastic pair of talented musicians who enjoy their music, history, and presentations to us in three-hour sessions with breaks every morning in the ballroom. At 12:00 the kitchen staff had set up a buffet of delightful food right in the Ballroom. The Jekyll Island Club Resort provides a delightful, historic hotel accommodation.
— Review left February 17, 2024
Everything about this program was outstanding from the beautiful resort to the excellent food, the attentiveness of JoAnn, our tour guide, and most of all, Jeff and Anne, the entertainers/educators.
— Review left February 12, 2024
My smile lasted from start to finish during this rollicking program of well-loved music. Anne & Jeff are masterful musicians.
— Review left February 10, 2024
It was a fantastic course on music and music history from the 1800s up to the 1930s 40s. Jeff and Ann made the course so easy to follow an interesting I am reading and learning more and more about that era of music. I highly recommend this to anyone that has any music interest
— Review left December 2, 2023
I showed up at this program not sure if I could sit through so much "instruction", but then I got musically transported to another place and time.
Jeff Barnhart is an exceptional piano player and a storehouse of backstories, sideways stories, a true entertainer!
— Review left November 24, 2023
If you are interested in any type of music program and you see that Jeff and Ann Barnhart are running the that program I would definitely check it out. They do a wonderful job. Linda Spadavecchia
— Review left November 6, 2023
Your spirits will be uplifted and your heart will be filled with toe tapping happiness.
— Review left November 5, 2023
Excellent, informative, FUN program. Every day was a pleasure.
— Review left October 27, 2023
Great program and outstanding venue
— Review left February 22, 2023
What a joy to hear such superb scholarship, to listen to such musical genius, and to enjoy such a lovely resort! I am so grateful to Jeff and Ann Barnhardt for introducing me to my first Road Scholar program at Jekyll Island, Georgia. And I look forward to returning to their next seminar on American music of the mid twentieth century. Thank-you, Road Scholar!
— Review left February 20, 2023
As a longtime Jazz fan, who has enjoyed a number of Ivory & Gold performances at Jazz Festivals, I was thrilled to have Jeff & Anne giving us four fantastic mornings of history and performing Ragtime, Jazz, and Blues music. The old Jekyll Island Club Hotel Ballroom was a perfect place for performances and buffet meals.
— Review left February 20, 2023
Great program. Highly recommend it for any music lover, not just jazz, blues, or ragtime music lovers. Would like to see them do a follow-on program of how this led to early rock and roll.
— Review left February 10, 2023
There are not many educational classes that you leave each day with a smile and tapping your feet.
Jeff and Anne made this a jazzy week.
— Review left February 5, 2023
Fantastic program. The Barnharts are wonderful musicians and entertaining presenters. Jekyll Island is gorgeous and the perfect setting for the music. Highly reccommend.
— Review left October 31, 2022
please send me the program booklet for this program, I've lost the original copy.
Thank you.
— Review left October 28, 2022
Outstanding program; leader expertise and charm plus the location is fantastic.
— Review left October 24, 2022
Excellent! You will be inspired to learn more about Jazz. So much material you will feel a bit overwhelmed. Fabulous instructors/performances.
Please bring back the spiral bound program material.
— Review left October 24, 2022
This is a wonderful program and one that I would like to do again but I also encourage Road Scholar to schedule other programs with Jeff and Anne. The music in itself is great but it is their information on the history of ragtime, blues, and jazz that make it special. Their back and forth conversations also really add to the enjoyment. I knew I would enjoy this program but I had no idea how much I would enjoy it.
— Review left October 23, 2022
Fantastic program. I'd love to attend again.
— Review left October 22, 2022
The Road Scholar Program on Jazz, Tin Pan Alley, Blues, at Jekyll Island was absolutely marvelous and so informative. It brought back memories of the past in my musical life. I enjoyed it thoroughly and wished it could have continued on longer. Thank you to the wonderful leadership!!
— Review left October 17, 2022
Delightful week on a beautiful Georgia island experiencing the American songbook from the 1890s to 1940s.
— Review left October 15, 2022
Excellent program. I would highly recommend it whether you are new to jazz and ragtime like me, or are very familiar with the subject. The course actually improved how I listen to all types of music. If you are flying in, I would recommend not getting a rental car. The island taxi is cheaper and there is so much to do in walking distance. My rental stayed parked the whole week.
— Review left October 14, 2022
If you are at all interested in the Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, Dixieland Jazz, and Blues of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this is the program for you. Jeff and Anne Barnhart and terrific musicians, and excellent at putting the music into context. They also gave us great information about the musical "stars" of that era and kind of music.
— Review left March 3, 2022
very interesting program in a beautiful location.
— Review left February 28, 2022
Beware of the "no see um" bugs on the beach.
— Review left February 27, 2022
Program was excellent, as were instructors and Director of Program. Think alternate locations should be considered in different parts of the country for future programs.
— Review left February 25, 2022
The program is very entertaining and informative. The resort is a great venue for the program.
— Review left November 15, 2021
Great program if you have any interest in American Music. Very thorough and informative as well as fun.
— Review left November 7, 2021
What a great week!!! I have attended several Ragtime Festivals so knew about some Ragtime music history but the presentation by Jeff and Ann Barnhardt really opened my eyes. A well organized program with the right amount of lecture and music to inform and entertain. This program should be offered in more locations around the U.S. (Dave Almquist, Ohio)
— Review left November 7, 2021
Once again, Road’s Scholar has outdone itself! A beautiful location with educators as knowledgeable as any I’ve had anywhere and a tour organizer who enhanced our stay immensely!
— Review left November 5, 2021
What a delightful experience. I learned, was entertained, shared, thought, pushed and prompted. The additional side treats, learning about marsh lands, shells, turtles was especially enjoyable.
— Review left November 1, 2021
This program is a terrific overview of uniquely American music. The presenters are phenomenal and did an exceptional job. My husband and I learned a lot and will actually be venturing out to learn more about jazz music at festivals and venues. The Jekyll Island Club was the perfect location for the session. Take this program; you will love it.
— Review left October 29, 2021
This was one of the best programs! The music component with Tex Wyndham was superb. He was very knowledgeable and shared the music expertly with keyboard. It was a true joy to listen, tap a foot or hum along!
The Jekyll Island Millionaires Club was a wonderful experience. To stay in the wonderfully restored lodge and sleep in the rooms possibly shared by the rich and famous of bygone years was neat. Meals could not have been better. The breakfast buffet was wonderful.
I also enjoyed the island history tour, the visit to the sea turtle center and the people in the small group of 24 - a good number for the content of the program.
Road Scholar - keep this program! It was a delight!
— Review left February 24, 2020
It would have been more interesting if there were musical clips of the bands or musicians shown on film rather than just the presenter's demonstrating on a keyboard, although he was very proficient.
— Review left February 16, 2020
I enjoyed this week with three other people, and we had a great time. The combination of the location, the course content, the instructors' expertise, and the luck of good weather made it a great week.
— Review left February 15, 2020
This program couldn't have been better! Tex Wyndham is a professional performer and that came through when he played the musical examples of his presentation (on the keyboard) --and he played a lot of wonderful music. He was very knowledgeable and was always open to questions.
I also enjoyed the ecological portion of our stay. Georgia, the naturalist, identified our finds on the beach, from egg pods to worm tubes, and in the classroom we even got into the sex lives of mollusks. She made the learning fun!
— Review left February 9, 2020
Tex Wyndham was an outstanding presenter, the best instructor of any Road Scholar program that I have attended and I have attended 25! His oral presentation and his accompanying keyboard demonstrations of the points that he wanted to make were remarkable. The program was very informative, enlightening and great fun. I didn't want his program to end.
— Review left February 8, 2020
The RoadScholar program "Ragtime, Early Tin Pan Alley and Dixeland Jazz" was vibrant and vital because the principal instructor, Tex Wyndham. He is extremely knowledgeable, but this is not the key to his teaching effectiveness. The key is his love of the material and his musicianship. This "old" music comes across as vital and vibrant as when it was new, some more than a century ago. Anyone from a novice to a performer will gain understanding and and an appreciation of this art form: American Popular Music, as presented by someone who spent his life performing it and entertaining thousands. After spending a week with Tex, I am sorry to see this music pass into oblivion for all but those few who have learned by experience or by instruction to love it. I am most appreciative that I, a Classic Music Performer, have had the opportunity to learn about it from Tex.
Richard Sohn (sohnrs@gmail.com) Horn Section, Florissant Valley Symphony Orchestra (www.fovalleyso.org)
— Review left February 8, 2020
This was a wonderful program. The musical instruction was excellent, cultural activities interesting and the facility was great. With a great leader like JoAnne the program just couldn’t have been any better!
— Review left November 25, 2019
"Tex" brings history to life. He has played with many of the pioneers of the era and shares those experiences through storytelling, keyboard and song. He educated us on music theory at a level that even non-musicians could understand.
The dining and lodging on Jekyll Island were excellent. Living in the cottages of the millionaires of the same period of the music that we were studying added to this unique program.
— Review left November 25, 2019
Wonderful week of learning in a beautiful setting. The instructor, Tex Wyndham, is a veritable walking encyclopedia of information regarding the golden age of ragtime, Tin Pan Alley and Dixieland. He never used notes in lectures or music when playing; he held in memory what seemed like hundreds of names of composers, as well as their life stories and lyrics to their songs. He punctuated his lectures with his expert and fun playing and singing of music under discussion. We also enjoyed learning about the ecology of Jekyll Island with the very knowledgeable Georgia Graves. I highly recommend this program to anyone with an interest in the early days of jazz in America.
— Review left November 19, 2019
I give this program the highest recommendation. A perfect balance between the music, which was so much fun, and the science and local history, which was engaging as well.
— Review left November 18, 2019
I sometimes feel that Road Scholar spends way too much on printing and mailing. I won't donate to any 501 (c) (3) that spend so much on fancy printing, binding, postage and ink. We are all trying to save our trees, and be better caretakers of our world. Too much !!
— Review left November 17, 2019
If you are interested in this period of music history, and want to know more and enjoy attending informal concerts by consummate artists-- "come on and hear" -- you won't be disappointed. And if you happen to bring your instrument or can sing, you can even join in. Great fun and fascinating.
— Review left November 16, 2019
This was an excellent program. Tex Wyndham was a delight. He clearly described each genre of music, their characteristics and played tunes to illustrate the points under discussion. He discussed the music, the composers, the musicians, the publishers, the society of the time and showed examples of the sheet music. My knowledge of the this music was enhanced - and in a most enjoyable way. It was clear that the attendees truly enjoyed it all.
The ecological portion of the program was also enlightening. We walked on the beach and the naturalist discussed what we found - egg sacks, sea shells, horseshoe crabs, etc. In the conference room, she discussed the ecology of Jekyll Island and in another session we examined sea shells and discussed their characteristics. We also visited the turtle rescue site.
We had guided tours around the Jekyll Island Club by trolley and on foot and learned the history of the resort. There was time to check out the shops on the resort and an afternoon to explore the island on our own.
I highly recommend this program.
— Review left November 16, 2019
This was one of the most wonderful five days we've experienced: in a lovely environment, with delightful entertainment while learning about Ragtime, Dixieland and early Jazz from two talented and charming instructors. Having beach walks and local environmental guides and learning about the Jekyll Island history and terrain were an added bonus.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
— Review left November 16, 2019
I enjoyed my first Road Scholar trip with JAZZ & Jekyll island.
Jeff & Anne are knowledgeable, talented, along with being experienced musicians & educators. Thanks you both for enriching my knowledge!!!
— Review left November 16, 2019
This trip exceeded my expectations. The music program was fabulous because Ann and Jeff Barnhart are amazing professional musicians with the ability to share their passion and love of music. What a wonderful joyous experience of learning and listening. Jekyll Island is a beautiful place to enjoy and its loaded with history which adds to its charm. The food was abundant and delicious. The perfect get away for a vacation.
— Review left November 16, 2019
I learned the differences between ragtime and jazz music from the late 1890's- 1930's from a very knowledgeable instructor. The location for this program was excellent and all events are well planned and interesting.
— Review left November 10, 2019
It was a great experience, I learned from a pro.Tex had a great deal of knowledge that he shared with the attendees..I surely came away with a positive amount of Jazz, Tin Pan Alley and Dixie Land music..His piano playing gave us an insight to see differences with the chords of each of them..I learned about composers, singers and those who produced the records..
It took me back to an era of song for me..Humming or singing those songs that I grew up with...
Thoroughly enjoyed this program..
— Review left February 27, 2019
If you are interested in the History of Popular Music of the late 19th and early 20th century this program is for you! The demonstrations were fantastic.
— Review left February 22, 2019
"One of the best ever" are my wife's and my comments on Tex Wyndham's presentation and we've done over 40 Road Scholar programs. The first time We've seen a presenter receive a standing ovation at Tex's final session.
— Review left February 11, 2019
This was one of the best trips we have taken. Ted Wyndham's unbelievable talent and knowledge of Jazz is unsurpassed! The accomodations and meals were also fantastic.
— Review left February 7, 2019
Tex is a great entertainer and instructor. He teaches to all levels of knowledge. His obvious love of the subject only adds to the very enjoyable program. The Jekyll Island Club facilities were unsurpassed. What a great program for anyone that enjoys early jazz.
— Review left February 2, 2019
I know of no one more knowledgeable or articulate than Tex Wyndham about Dixieland, ragtime and early American popular music, and strongly recommend this course to anyone even remotely interested in these subjects.
— Review left February 1, 2019