Robben Ford Discussion

[telefunk1]

Friends:

I have a favor to ask of you all. My 14 year old daughter is auditioning for the high school jazz band this afternoon. She starts high school next year and has been waiting for this chance for 3 years. She is first chair clarinet now in middle school, but only started taking alto sax lessons on the side 9 months ago so she could get in the jazz band. She is so nervous about this! So, if anyone has some positive thoughts, spare mojo or good karma to send down this way we would appreciate it. Musicians pulling for each other always works! Win or lose, just the fact that she is so into music is enough for me - I am one proud dad, as you can imagine. (She named her alto "Cannonball" - is that too cute or what?!)

On a related topic, her interest in the jazz band has raised a question. There are few young women in the jazz band now, and she is the only one auditioning this year that I am aware of. This has been kind of intimidating to say the least. I want to be sure she is focused and confident in her playing and not worried about the whole gender issue and the "girls can't play jazz" crap. Has anyone out there had this same experience? Any parents currently dealing with this issue? Any suggestions? Considering that RF tours with Hilary Jones, and we have a good number of female members, as well as parents and educators, I think this could be a relevant topic for further discussion. (Hilary if you are out there what say you on this issue, any suggestions?) But if this is too off topic just send a personal message. Any response is greatly appreciated.

[frank0936]

Consider them sent, Tele. I'm pulling for her. My daughter decided to take bass guitar lessons when she was in high school. That's the great thing about music, there are no gender limits. She can do whatever she makes up her mind to do. Tell her I wish her success. Our middle and high school jazz bands have several girls in them, as does the program in the neighboring city.
Frank

[Aeolian]

Positive thoughts going thataway. From Candy Dulfer on, there's been a bunch of women alto players lately.

Have you ever listened to Marion McPartland's Jazz Piano show on NPR? How to conduct oneself with class and musically fit in with a vast range of guests. That she is a woman has nothing to do with it, a consumate musician.

It's not jazz, but Jennifer Batten has torn down some barriers. I mean there have been women rock guitarists beforehand, but EVH went to her to learn what he played on the Beat It solo. A friend went to a clinic with her and she showed a comand of theory as substantial as her chops.

Other women drummers? I've met Silvia Cuenca (wonderfully nice lady) who plays with straight ahead heavyweights in NYC and Bruce Forman when she's out here. And Teri Lynn Carrington is everywhere.

What gender bariers?
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There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
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[Bluelobster]

Telefunk , it is great that you raise this as a thread . I am very glad to send positive vibes and by the way i appreciated you ask to friends.
Now may be you can tell her music is a gift of god for us , an unique way to be fancy while being very serious and this leads to be very serious about fanciness.( I am sorry i am lacking of words to express my feelings.
But , how cool his that ???? she named the horn "cannonball" , that is a fierce statement.) Music is a way to enjoy life whatever happens first it is a personnal pleasure it is not a struggle like men versus women or whatever crappy things (which happens anyway).
Now if she feels nervous during the auditionning she can visualize Purple
or Jade green or her favorite piece of material ( that's come from a feng shui friend of mine).
Hope this Helps .
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[PierreL]

Bonne chance from France.

[AndyR]

Wow, Telefunk...that is SO cool!

Hope the audition went well...got an update for us?

I would say, just keep up the encouragement...

Try to introduce her to the classic masters of the jazz idiom, Bird, Trane, Miles, Sir Duke and the Count, etc...there's lots of stuff to be found in the public libraries.

And don't let her abandon the clarient (I was a first chair from 8th grade through 12th), the clarinet is a wonderful instrument, difficult as hell, I sorely regret putting mine down several years ago.

Turn her on to Artie Shaw's recordings; his version of "Stardust" is THE definitive recording, IMHO...I spent my high school years doing by-ear transcriptions of Shaw's solos, along with some of Goodman's...after high school, I also learned many of Trane's and Bird's tunes on the clarinet (same key as tenor), and developed an interesting "sax-like" phrasing.

And Buddy DeFranco...

And I think you're right on about not worrying the "girls can't play jazz" crap. Aeo's examples were great...how about the late Emily Remler, B-3 masters Barbara Dennerlein and Shirley Scott, Patrice Rushen, big band leader Toshiko Akiyoshi... ... ...Yoko Ono???

The journey has just begun...enjoy!

Andy

[Bluelobster]

[telefunk1]

You all are the best. The vibe was definitely felt down here. She should find out later today or tomorrow. According to her, she did terrible in the audition, but I have to take this self-criticism with a huge grain of salt! The audition piece was a bebop etude that when her sax teacher saw it, said, "they're asking you to play THIS?" So, we shall see.

Many thanks for all the suggestions on players. I agree, there are a ton of fantastic female role models out there in jazz and beyond. I am trying not to overwhelm her with all these great artists. I have a bad habit of shoving an armload of CDs at her and proclaiming "you have GOT to listen to these they are so cool," etc etc... Just the fact that she is so open to a variety of music makes me happy in these days of radio schlock. I listen to her tell me what her friends listen to and it scares the hell out of me! [There are all these national programs working to keep our kids off of drugs and away from sex (and we know how well these programs don't work!) - I wish we could get funding to keep our kids away from "harmful" music, however you define it. But this is a totally different topic.]

Anyway - you all are a great bunch of people. Many thanks for the mojo.

[telefunk1]

The RF Board mojo works! She made the cut and even beat out several of the sax players already in high school. Could not have done it without the help and good vibes. Many thanks.

[jconstant]

telefunk,

I didn't see this thread until after the fact but I would have definitely sent some mojo your way had I known.

When I was in high school I had the pleasure of being in a very good high school jazz program and we had several girls in the group who were section leads and they were great! Gender makes no difference at all...just close your eyes and listen to the music.

One female musician I didn't see mentioned is Diana Krall. She's a phenominal musician!

Best of luck to your little girl!

[elizabeth]

I just read this, and I sent every good thought I could muster up, backwards in time. How cool, indeed! This makes me smile! Thank you for such a wonderful thought.

love, elizabeth
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[fingerlakes]

Telefunk,

As you and I have been comparing notes on our kids musical progress over the last year or so, I must tell you I sent some positive thoughts your way when I read this several days ago. The high school jazz ensemble that my son plays in ( he's 1st chair tenor ) has 4 girls ( out of 16 ) in it this year and all are great players. 2 made the switch from clarinet in concert band to sax in jazz band. This group is preparing to enter competition with bands from all over NY state . It is something they have won the last 6 years.They are playing " Boplicity ", " I Can't Get Started" ( they have a great first chair trumpeter), and " Birdland ". I went to hear them practice a few nights ago and they sound good.They lost last years bass player and drummer to graduation, one to Ithaca College and one to Berklee, hard guys to replace but the new guys are doing fine. This may be the most fufilling and exciting thing so far in my son's school career. Here's hoping your daughter gets to experience some of the same stuff.For your gal to prevail in such a spirited competition as a middle schooler is quite an accomplishment. Keep us informedas to her progress.

As far as your other topic on objectionable music kids are listening to I would be interested in all views. My 16 yr old listens to Coltrane and Ravel, but alas i have a 14 yr old who blasts away to " Dead kennedy's ' and CKY ? I think that's what they are called. At least i found some Bob Marley cd's when I cleaned his room the other day, so maybe there is some hope.

[AndyR]

Major kudos to your daughter, Tele!!!
Quite an accomplishment!!!

And Blob wrote:

[Bluelobster]

Ah, yes Andy .Someone had to find the huge stash Sachmo needed
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[Aeolian]

Plus one for hanging on to the clarinet. I think it keeps the chops in shape (harder to get the upper registers and intonation) and facilitates other musical ideas, what with all the Arte Shaw and Goodman stuff out there. Got a chance to head my friend Tom Politzer last night wailing on both tenor and alto, but he hung on to the clarinet as well. There's a bit on the last TOP CD where he's trading fours with the guitar on clarinet that just wails.

And major congrats to your daughter. Must run in the family.
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There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com