Submitted
by Al Kanovsky 05/08/15
...there's the Stanley Cup, the World Cup and the NBA
Finals but for me the best of all is the ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON Finals.
15
High school JAZZ bands compete for the top spots. This year 3 South Florida
bands are amongst the elite 15. Dillard Center for the Arts (Ft. Lauderdale),
New World School of the Arts (Miami) and the Community Arts Program (Coral
Gables). I've only been to 1 Super Bowl, 2 World Series games,0 Stanley
& World Cup and NBA Finals. This is my fourth EE. They keep getting
betterer and betterer.
Yesterday I visited a mentoring session for the Lyons
Township H.S. band from LaGrange IL. Marcus Printemps (trumpet) instructed band
members on improvisation techniques and band cohesiveness. Next was a Q&A
Rehearsal with the JAZZ at Lincoln Center Orchestra. (Band members).
The session opened with a Latin tinged "swing" tune. Questions
from the High Schoolers followed. What is JAZZ? What does it really take to
succeed? Inspiration? Why choose JAZZ? Wynton Marsalis is superb in his
guidance to the youngsters. Band members also gave advice and music tales.
Clark Terry's (RIP) name came up. Every member of the trumpet section including
Wynton commented on how much he contributed to each of their development, including
his innovation and creativity with the plunger mute.
Matt Wong won the arranging competition and
was invited up to conduct the Orchestra performing his work. I asked Mr. Christopher Dorsey if I could sit-in on Dillard's rehearsal/mentoring
session, Okay with him but why hasn't he seen me at some of their latest
events. Good question. Lame answer.
There were only a few faces from prior
years, Sydney the very pretty drummer, Ulysses the very big pianist and
Christian the super talented altoist. Among the new additions is a young lady,
maybe 5' tall. If she weighs 100lbs I would be surprised. What does she play?
Baritone sax, of course!
Chris Crenshaw was the mentor for this session. He
impressed me in many ways. He relates to music like I relate to breathing. It
is an essential of his very being. He was patient while being
instructive. He has a soft-spoken manner which holds your attention. I learned
a lot of stuff that I had never realized I needed to know about JAZZ.
After
dinner there was a double-headed JAM session. Youngsters who have never played
together before are formed into groups with a member of the JALCO. For me, it
is the highlight of the festival. Pictures are below. Hope to get to the New
World rehearsal this morning. Dillard competes this afternoon. There is a live
stream available at: https://livestream.com/jazz
Need a bloody mary and some
breakfast.
Personal note: My kids didn't want me driving home late at night
so I am presently ensconced in a historic luxury hotel in Manhattan. Courtesy
of them. It can only happen to a parent who completely ignored their kids as
they grew up.
Al's Disclaimer:
A
short note: The reason I write this is because I love music and words. I do not
book acts. I do not promote acts. I do not accept invitations to review
artists. I go to venues of my own choice. When and where is not influenced by
anything other than who I would like to hear that night or day. If I don't like
what I hear, I won't write about it. When I like it I let you all know. I
never mention a name without asking permission. "Pardon me, Miss. Would
you like to dance?"
~ ~ ~
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