Imagine being a middle or high school-aged music student who gets to play alongside jazz greats.
That will be more than a dream for several local students, thanks to an upcoming workshop organized by Los Gatos Music & Arts (LGM&A), which has produced Jazz on the Plazz for more than two decades.
The nonprofit’s been holding jazz master-classes, by invitation, for the youth of the South Bay for years now. For a young musician, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime: to jam with legendary professional jazz artists.
Recently, I spoke with LGM&A board member Jonathan Knowles about it
“Yes, I know we are the best thing in town in the summer,” he said. “We love presenting Jazz in the Plazz. However, this venue allows us to fulfill the goal of LGM&A’s mission. Our mission is to take kids on their musical journey and allow them to play with professional jazz musicians.
“We host 50-100 young musicians each year in a lecture-lab, as well as hands-on,” Knowles said. “The board consists of three people: Teri Hope, the founder, with board members Ginger Taylor McDonald and myself. We are all unpaid. We take great pride (in) offering lectures and lab workshops…and we hope this will help students’ have a more meaningful musical journey.”
LGM&A ORGANIZATION
Knowles noted this will be the 23rd year of offering music and arts instruction.
“The attendees get to engage onstage and interface with professional jazz musicians,” he said.
These workshops are held around the South Bay, sometimes in private homes, sometimes in rented venues.
The organization’s annual Gala—its major fundraiser—will be held in the fall.
THE BRUBECK LEGACY
Dave Brubeck’s mother was a pianist who occasionally taught music lessons, yet her son Dave could not read music.
He graduated from the University of the Pacific, promising to never teach music.
However, reading music isn’t required to play jazz. And as a jazz artist, he excelled at improvising. His 5/4 time signature was an unusual one. It brought a different interpretation to this medium.
His well-known song “Take Five” from the album Time Out was the first jazz album to sell over a million copies.
“Take Five” was being played on non jazz radio stations around the world, and in November 1954, Brubeck made the cover of Time magazine. He performed right up until his death at almost 92.
BRUBECK BOYS + 2
After Brubeck’s death in 2012, his four sons—Darius, Dan, Chris and Matt—have continued on as the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, with Chris leading the workshops, Dan Brubeck Mike Demicco and Chuck Lamb. While in town, they’ll also offer workshops for selected young South Bay musicians. That will happen in early February.
Los Gatos Music & Arts allows students to sit in with these jazz greats, and they do this very efficiently.
Chris (bass / trombone / composer) and Dan (drums) have been making music together practically all their lives. They cut their first record together in 1966. They’ve subsequently played a variety of styles in a number of different groups—as well as with their father. With Dan and Chris as the foundation, guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb complete this dynamic quartet.
Although the Quartet’s style is known as “straight-ahead” jazz, their concerts reveal their ability to explore and play odd time signatures while integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music. The group’s creativity, technique, and improvisation can be heard in their uncompromising music, which reflects their dedication to melody, rhythm, culture—and the spontaneous spirit of jazz. And they enjoy sharing their vast knowledge with young music students.
AT THE CARRIAGE HOUSE
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet will be performing at the Carriage House at Villa Montalvo, on Friday, Feb. 7, for one night only. It’s reportedly nearly sold out. The following day, the quartet will be teaching their master class.
Herbie Hancock says, “Jazz is the lifeblood of America, yet it is played all around the world with regional influences. Jazz in India, sounds like jazz with the Indian cultural influences coming through.” And when professional jazz musicians can pass this onto eager young students, this American genre thrives. The students are recommended by music teachers and have mastery of their instrument. What a treat—playing jazz with professional jazz musicians. A definite highlight in any young musician’s educational journey.
