High School Jazz gig

[JPrince]

I thought I'd share this experience because it's certainly memorable to me. My high school band directors, for a fund raiser, hired the Braschler Music Show from Branson, Missouri to perform at my high school (Skiatook High School, in Skiatook, OK). Well, due to our past gigs, almost the entire community requested our HS Jazz Band to perform right before. We were only given about 10-15 minutes, so we did 4 tunes. we did Ain't Misnehavin' (which included a bari solo- me), Blue Trane, In the Mood, and Route 66. Now since this is a country music show, about 99% of the audience were people over the age of 60. Well, we played the first two tunes, and they would clap for the soloists and at the end, but they weren't really into it. Then we got to In the Mood. Well, as all 4 saxes (2 Altos, 1 Tenor, and me on Bari) started the opening theme (I'm sure most if not all of you know it) you could see in their faces the look "Hey, I know that song... what is it...what...." which turned to the look of "Its THAT (or for some THE )song!!!!" Immediately, like 2 bars into it, the entire audience broke into clapping, and the whole crowd who had before been sort of lifeless were now dancing in there seats! It was amazing! It just means a lot to me, as I saw a twinkle of happiness in so many of their faces. It was great, and if that is what I can do to people when I play my sax, then I am sure I want to take the avenue of less $$$ in life and be a pro musician.

BTW, this gig for anyone in the OK area who might have been there was on Thursday, March 27th, at the SHS Auditorium.

[Frank D]

JPrince, you've had one of the peak experiences of playing music, the ability to witness the powerful impact music has on people. Your story reminds me of an experience I had playing for a senior citizens' group.

I had taken this gig just to have any gig, since pickings were slim at the moment. It was myself on clarinet and sax, plus a guy twice my age on guitar, and his wife on bass and vocals. We used a drum machine for rhythm. Our audience was a group of seniors, who got together twice a week for dances. As I would pull up to the hall and park the car, I'd see these folks making their way to the building, walking slowly, some with walker and canes, etc. Once things got underway, however, the aches and pains seemed to melt away, and most had fun dancing to the tunes of their youth. It really was quite a scene, not only to see the couples whirling around the dance floor (that generation could dance!), but to observe the social interaction, which at times resembled a high school dance - flirtations, first dates, breakups, two-timers, etc. The music really seemed to transport them back in time, and they enjoyed themselves like kids again.

If you haven't ever played for a bunch of seniors, I'd highly reccomend it, it's quite an experience. And they're one of the most appreciative audiences you'll ever play for.

[Lowell]

May 2 we play at the Kerby Center in Calgary. This is an inner city seniors center that used to be a junior college. This center has their own website and we have been advertised on it for 3 months. The last time we played there, the "Joint Was Jumpin", despite the fact that they had no clue who we were. As we were packing up to leave, several seniors asked when we were coming back. They are truly the most gentle and appreciative audience you will ever have.

[alsdiego]

JPrince,

Your story brought back my own set of "In the Mood" memories... the year was 1960, Elvis was King, and I was a junior at Westfield (N.J.) Sr. High School. The High School Jazz Band (I played lead alto) opened with "In The Mood" behind a closed curtain. As we played the sax intro, the curtain slowly rose. It was such a dramatic moment, I could literally feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck. As we looked out at the audience, one of the TEACHERS was jitterbugging in the aisle. Even tho everyone knew that only dorks played in the band, the audience went nuts! It's a moment I'll never forget. Shows you the power of music.

Al