Sweet, Sweet Jazz

Panama_content.jpgA few weeks ago, in the heart of Panama, people from all around the world were tapping their feet and clapping their hands to the sound of sweet, sweet jazz. Musicians were playing at venues throughout Panama City, and jam sessions were swinging long into the night. The sky was blue, and the sea was green, and the city was alive with music. It was the Panama Jazz Festival.

Because of the diligent efforts of Guillermo Nojechowicz, who organized our concerts and fundraisers and helped us jump numerous hurdles in getting the trip approved, a group of six CRLS students/jazz ambassadors (including this Register Forum news correspondent) were fortunate enough to be able to attend and play in this amazing week-long festival. Along with him and us six students, Vice Principal Bobby Tynes and Nurse Tracy Rose also came along to chaperone and play with us.

It lasted from January 16th to the 22nd, and featured a plethora of musical opportunities. Each day, we would wake up and eat breakfast around 8AM. Then, after breakfast and until lunch, we were able to roam free and attend master classes given by students from Berklee College of Music, or the New England Conservatory. These college students would generally talk about the finer points of playing a certain instrument. For instance, the upright bass, or the piano. We would then break for lunch, and would resume attending master classes or mini-concerts for the rest of the afternoon.

Panama_content2.jpgAs one might expect when attending a Jazz Festival, there was always a concert at night, which was this particular news correspondent’s favorite part. Wednesday might, the legendary pianist Chucho Valdez played several mind-bogglingly virtuosic solo pieces, as well as several beautiful duets with singer Omara Portuondo. Thursday night, heading the bill was the John Scofield Trio. John Scofield, a jazz-fusion guitarist led his trio through an entire spectrum of jazz, from classy jazz standards to face-melting fusion! Friday night, perhaps most spectacular of all, was legendary saxophonist Carlos Garnett. Later that night we got to chat with him, and I’ll never forget the advice he gave us: “Never let drugs, women, or ego get in the way of your playing,” then turning to our female flautist Phoebe Rueben, “sorry.”

Then at about midnight, we would hit a Jam session at the Hotel Panama, and listen to that until 2AM.

It is hard to put into words how this trip affected me. There was so much music everywhere, and so much positive energy, that I could almost feel my skin soaking it up. I could feel my love of music growing every day.

Senior Alec Arceneaux had similar feelings: “I’d say it [the trip] inspired me to never let music not be a part of my life.”

Junior Phoebe Rueben had this to say: “I think that being somewhere where the type of music I was playing was so appreciated made me feel like I had a connection to more people around the world, and really reminded me why I love playing so much. On a more social level, I got to meet people with similar interests to my own who live in Panama, and had a chance to talk to them and make friends with them because of it.”

panama3.jpgOne of the things that I was astonished to see was the number of young musicians excited about the music being played. From percussionists to French horn players, many of whom were much younger than me (and better musicians), there was always an excited pair of kids sitting near me at a concert or clinic. It was inspiring to see how positively this festival was affecting the community.

What made this festival so great, I think, was how people could forget the issues and turmoil of everyday life and just play with one another. No one was thinking about anything but music, really. Junior and bassist Tyler O’Keefe put it best: “It made me think about the simpler things in life, like what really makes me happy, and how I don’t need expensive things or material things, and I can be happy just doing the things I love to, like play music.”

I’d say, considering the above quote, our trip to Panama did it its job. Each musician was able to gain something precious from this trip. I for one wouldn’t have traded the experience for anything.

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