'tain't easy...being Allen Kanovsky!

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/9/13

There are a lot of folks who think being me is easy. I am here to tell you---'tain't easy---but it sure is fun. You know why? 'Cause I love music and each and everyday I find a way to embrace my love.

Yesterday I was fortunate to have been invited to attend Ed Bell's Art Beat radio show on WLRN 91.3. The guest artist was Florida's own, Nicole Henry. If you want to love music like I do, Nicole can show you the way. Ms. Henry opened with a smokin' "Caught In the Middle With You" and continued by getting hotter with each of the songs she did. My cardiologist had warned me about her rendition of Bill Withers "Use Me Up". He was right but it's worth a trip to the hospital. She did some from her new, chart rising CD, titled "So Good. So Right, Nicole Henry LIVE". Nicole did a little Aretha and Joni Mitchell but it was all her own. Her success is bitter-sweet for me. Because of it, her performances here in FL. have become less frequent and I do miss her. Oh yeah, she had some of the very best young musicians in South Florida backing her. In alphabetical order, Cadenhead, Chris(keyboards), Chiverton, Dave(drums), England, Eric(upright bass) and Lebos, Aaron(guitar). Each one of these musicians is a star in his own right. She was lucky to have them and they were equally lucky to be able to play with her. The audience include my friends Dr. Jules Oaklander(patron of the arts), Oscar Corbela(Actor in Novellas), Bill Rutan(fellow well met) and George Early(brother volunteer for Radio Reading Service). My wish is for her continued success. My plea is, at least come "home" for the summer.

Just to illustrate how really "'tain't easy" it is, in the evening I attended the "Denim & Diamonds Gala" at which The Dillard School For the Arts would be honoring, educator/musician, Mari Bell. The music would be provided by the award winning Dillard School band. These talented youngsters will compete again this year at the Ellington event in New York. They have finished in first place for the last 2 years. (kon-a-hura). Christopher Dorsey heads the program for Dillard and has provided inspiration for generation of aspiring JAZZ musicians. At the cocktail hour, prior to dinner, a quintet entertained the guests. Markus Howell(alto) and Max Boiko(trumpet) are graduating seniors. They fronted an ever changing rhythm section (giving the opportuniy to play to lots of young artists). Fortunately, JAZZ is not tainted by "ism"s, ie; racism, sexism etc. It embraces all with talent. Sitting in first chair in the trombone section is a beautiful young woman, Tayler Young. Sitting in "first chair" is proof of her having "chops".

Every band member is worthy of mention, so here goes---by section and sometimes trading places---Saxophones(front row) Ben Stocker(tenor/clarinet), Demonn Sands(tenor). Markus Howell(alto), Jonathan Hainesworth(bari), and freshman Christian Cummings(alto). Trombones(second row) Kim Morton, Joel Perez, Taylor Young, Tashi Shaw and Jeremiah Joseph. Trumpets(third row) Max Boiko, Anthony Hervey, Eric German, Donovan Perry and Christopher Dorsey---(could he be someone's son?). Taking turns at piano were, Ulysses McClover, Max Holm and Diandre Dawkins. Doing the same on drums were, Zach McKinney, Charlie Steiner and Sydney Henry. On guitar, Connor McWilliams and Zach Auslander and on bass Chris Mills. I was seated at a table with Susan & Mike Stocker(Ben's Mom & Dad) along with their family. Susan did the research for me on the band members names.---Thank you, Susan. So as I said before "'t aint easy being me", having to listen to the stars of today in the afternoon followed by listening to the stars of the future until mid-night-----'tain't easy, no sireee, 'tain't easy!!!!! BUT IT SURE IS FUN.

Markus Howell will continue his education at Michigan State. Max Boiko is still in the decision making mode. Special thanks to Mr. Christopher Dorsey for his dedication to keeping this great American art form, JAZZ, alive and well.

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