Sunday, March 28, 2010

My Jazz Appreciation Month Challenge

I played music when I was a kid. In the 70s in DC there were loads of community programs that helped and encouraged kids to get involved with music. I got involved. Drums.

I kind of stumbled into the opportunity to go to Duke Ellington School for the Arts, a free public high school modeled after School for the Arts in New York. Students spend half of each school day studying their art. I auditioned and got in. I went there in 1975, second year after it opened.

I had an incredible opportunity. Through the influence of unscrupulous people, I and many other students also lost that opportunity.

I was 14. I'm now 48, and I just started playing music again. Guitar this time.

I love hearing jazz, reading about it, writing about it, talking to people about it. But I love playing jazz too, and I'm tired of letting other people have all the fun. And player hating isn't cute on a 48 year old.

The more I write about so many amazing, inspiring musicians, the more I get inspired...to have a deeper connection with music in my own life -- to have that joy, that expression, of being able to speak that language.

So here I am, 34 years later, deciding to play again.

My challenge to myself is to play music every day during the month of April.

My challenge to you, is to start playing music. If you've ever wanted to play an instrument, do it. Or if you used to play and stopped, start playing again.

About Jazz Appreciation Month

The Smithsonian Institution is heavily invested in the preservation and promotion of jazz. Here's a little bit about Jazz Appreciation Month from Smithsonian Jazz:
What are the purposes of Jazz Appreciation Month?

To draw greater public attention to the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz and its importance as an American cultural heritage. In addition, JAM is intended to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz—to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and support institutional jazz programs.
Posted by at 4:58 AM
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4 comments:

  1. I always wanted to play the sax as a kid and never did. At 38 years old, I found myself driving around town and suddenly in a music store signing up for lessons. It's been five years since and I still love it! Although I am now self taught due to my family and work schedule I continue to play and interact with such an awesome online family of new, old and amateur musicians thanks to sites like this.
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  2. I've actually just started learning trumpet. I've always wanted to learn, from the very first time I heard MIles Davis. I bought a trumpet for about $250 at the end of February and I've been trying but it's a long, windy road. I've enrolled in lessons so hopefully I'll improve soon! But I'm very glad that I didn't ignore the impulse to buy the trumpet. It's a wonderful instrument!
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  3. Awesome! Good for you! You inspire me to play Jazz on the ivories. I am classically trained, but have not ventured in the same way as I have vocally (in Jazz). Thanks for the inspiration :) ♫ -Deborah E ♫
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  4. I just re-read this post and when I read this: "...and I'm tired of letting other people have all the fun. And player hating isn't cute on a 48 year old. " I laughed out loud.

    But I can agree in wanting to join in on the fun. That's the way I feel right now as well.
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