| Special Projects Coordinator Goes Back to School - Lane sits in with NRMS Jazz Band By Lane Baldwin |
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On Thursday, January 12, I sat in with the North Ridge Middle School jazz band, the Redpeppers. Return visitors may remember that the Redpeppers received the first donation under our Eden in the Schools program - a Nemesis Silver Series N12S and Washburn T12 bass.
Band Director Tom Harrigan emailed me earlier in the week asking if I'd be willing to attend the first Redpeppers performance of the year to say a few words about the donation and to sit in with the band. Of course, I said 'yes' right away. I'm a strong supporter of music in the schools and was honored they asked me to perform with them.
The Redpeppers did three tunes before bringing me on-stage. I've got to tell you, I was really impressed with the band. We're talking about kids in 6th, 7th and 8th grades, and yet they already were learning how to really swing! Of special note was Mitch Killough, the band's bassist. He's been playing bass for less than a year and yet he already has a very solid feel, walking his lines with authority.
Before the final tune, Tom introduced me to the audience and explained briefly about the donation. He then turned the mic over to me to say a few words. I congratulated all the parents for supporting their children's musical interest, and stressed that repeated studies have shown that children who study music do better in math, science and languages. I also told them the reason they got a bass in addition to an amp was that the wife of USM owner, Rudy Schlacher, is a Danville native. The audience seemed to really get a kick out of that.
We then performed "Jammin' with Charlie", a tune that gives several students a chance to do ad lib solos over twelve-bar changes. I comped chords so that Mitch could keep the bottom end. After the student solos, I took a two verse turn. It was a lot of fun to solo over a full jazz band, and the kids seemed to have a good time, too.
Afterwards, I had the opportunity to speak to a number of parents and students. They were all very interested in learning more about Eden and its parent company. But they were all just as interested in learning more about the studies I'd mentioned.
All told, it was a fun and rewarding experience. Tom and I have already talked about another performance. And this time, we may actually get to rehearse beforehand!